Astros Top 30 Prospect Rankings Get Reshuffle After Trade Deadline
The Houston Astros Top 30 prospect list underwent a shake-up when the new list was released by MLB.com.
Before the site’s re-rank, which took into account the first four months of the 2023 season, the draft and any in-season trades, outfielder Drew Gilbert was ranked No. 1 overall.
But, Gilbert, along with another Top 5 outfielder, Ryan Clifford, were dealt to the New York Mets for pitcher Justin Verlander at the deadline. That led to a reshuffling at the top of the Astros’ prospect list.
The new No. 1 prospect also happens to be an outfielder, Jacob Melton, who is at High Class-A Asheville. Melton was the Astros’ second-round pick last year.
Another outfielder, Luis Baez, made a big jump up the Top 30 rankings, moving up to No. 2. Pitcher Spencer Arrighetti is the top-ranked hurler on the list and moved up from No. 6 to No. 3.
The Astros’ first-round pick last month, shortstop Brice Matthews, entered the rankings at No. 4, while infielder Zach Dezenzo was the Astros’ fastest-rising prospect and moved up to No. 5. He was No. 26 before the re-rank.
The rest of the Top 10 include infielder/outfielder Joey Loperfido at No. 6 pitcher Colton Gordon at No. 7, outfielder Colin Barber at No. 8, pitcher Rhett Kouba at No. 9 and outfielder Zach Cole at No. 10.
The next tier of prospects includes outfielder Kenedy Corona at No. 11, pitcher Michael Knorr at No. 12, outfielder/infielder Pedro León at No. 13, outfielder Justin Dirden at No. 14, infielder Will Wagner at No. 15, pitcher Alonzo Tredwell at No. 16, catcher/first baseman Miguel Palma at No. 17, outfielder Kenni Gomez at No. 18, outfielder Zach Daniels at No. 19 and pitcher Trey Dombroski at No. 20.
The last tier of Top 30 prospects includes pitcher Alimber Santa at No. 21, pitcher Miguel Ullola at No. 22, pitcher Andrew Taylor at No. 23, pitcher Jose Fleury at No. 24, infielder Shay Whitcomb at No. 25, pitcher Jake Bloss at No. 26, pitcher Jaime Melendez at No. 27, shortstop Camilo Diaz at No. 28, outfielder Esmil Valencia at No. 29 and pitcher Misael Tamarez at No. 30.
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