Here are some prospects who have stood out so far in the first half of the season!
Jason Schiavone – Schiavone has put together a breakout season. The 23-year-old catcher got off to a hot start in Asheville hitting .289 with 17 home runs in 35 games. He earned a promotion to Double-A where he’s hit 6 more home runs. Overall, he has a .996 OPS with 23 home runs and 21 stolen bases in 77 games. He’s also thrown out 50% of base stealers in Corpus Christi.
2026 Stats: 77 G, .270 BA/.423 OBP/.573 SLG, 14 2B, 23 HR, 60 RBI, 21 SB, 149 wRC+
Drew Brutcher – Brutcher was signed by the Astros in March of 2025 after he went undrafted in 2024. The left-handed hitter has had a big year starting in Asheville where he hit .266 over 33 games. He was promoted to Double-A where his bat exploded as he hit .350 with 10 doubles, 4 home runs in 29 games. He’s hitting .304 overall this season.
2026 Stats: 62 G, .304 BA/.421 OBP/.478 SLG, 16 2B, 3B, 7 HR, 51 RBI, 10 SB, 132 wRC+
Pascanel Ferreras – Ferreras was Mr. Irrelevant in the 2023 draft, but he’s been extremely relevant this season. He started in Double-A and hit .263 with 3 home runs and then was promoted to Sugar Land where he took off. In Triple-A, Ferreras has hit .366 with 11 doubles, 2 home runs and 27 RBI. He’s hitting .318 in 61 games this season.
2026 Stats: 62 G, .318 BA/.403 OBP/.474 SLG, 16 2B, 3B, 5 HR, 43 RBI, 8 SB, 133 wRC+
Xavier Neyens – Neyens was the Astros first round pick in 2025 and he’s been as advertised in the early going. The 19-year-old has connected on 14 home runs and drawn 79 walks in 68 games, good for a 25.9% walk rate, this season in Fayetteville. He’s also added 16 stolen bases and was recently promoted to High-A Asheville. More on him here.
2026 Stats: 68 G, .240 BA/.449 OBP/.462 SLG, 7 2B, 14 HR, 38 RBI, 16 SB, 154 wRC+
Anthony Huezo – Huezo was a 12th round pick by the Astros in 2023 and after having a mini breakout in 2025, he’s really performed well this season. In 71 games in Single-A, Huezo has connected on a system leading 20 doubles and 4 triples while also adding 14 home runs and 30 stolen bases. He just got promoted to High-A.
2026 Stats: 71 G, .247 BA/.350 OBP/.506 SLG, 20 2B, 4 3B, 14 HR, 44 RBI, 30 SB, 125 wRC+
Justin Thomas – Another pick from the 2025 draft, Thomas was an 11th round selection. For High-A Asheville this year, the 22-year-old is hitting .263 with 16 doubles, 12 home runs and 24 stolen bases. He’s also collected 57 walks and has a .880 OPS through 72 games this season.
2026 Stats: 72 G, .263 BA/.417 OBP/.463 SLG, 16 2B, 3B, 12 HR, 52 RBI, 24 SB, 121 wRC+
Will Bush – Bush has spent time at catcher and first base this season and got off to a nice start posting a .883 OPS in April. He slowed down with an injury but turned it on recently and now the 22-year-old has 10 home runs and a .855 OPS through 56 games in Double-A this season.
2025 Stats: 56 G, .268 BA/.401 OBP/.455 SLG, 7 2B, 10 HR, 33 RBI, 9 SB, 130 wRC+
Javier Perez – Perez had a mini breakout in 2025 and this year he has been phenomenal for the Woodpeckers. He leads the system in innings with 76.2 innings and 89 strikeouts while posting a 3.17 ERA. He’s shown off exceptional command as well walking just 13 batters, good for a 1.5 BB/9.
2026 Stats: 15 G, 3.17 ERA, 76.2 IP, 55 H, 27 ER, 13 BB, 89 K, .195 BAA
Cole Hertzler – Hertzler dealt with a few injuries early in his career but is healthy in 2026 and showing why he was a 5th round pick in 2024. The right-hander started in Asheville and had a 2.72 ERA over 10 starts. He was promoted to Corpus Christi where he has a 2.97 ERA over 5 starts. He’s also allowed just 34 hits in 62.1 innings.
2025 Stats: 15 G, 2.74 ERA, 62.1 IP, 34 H, 19 ER, 35 BB, 75 K, .162 BAA
Jagger Beck – Beck was signed as an undrafted free agent following the 2024 draft. The 19-year-old is having a breakout season so far posting a 2.91 ERA while striking out 62 batters over 52.2 innings. He’s also posted a 2.04 ERA across 10 games since May 5th. Strong season for the big right-hander. More on him here.
2025 Stats: 14 G, 2.91 ERA, 52.2 IP, 45 H, 17 ER, 26 BB, 62 K, 10.6 K/9
Nick Potter – Potter was a 5th round pick for the Astros in 2025 and while he was a closer in college, the Astros have moved him to starter with good results. So far this season, the right-hander has posted a 2.19 ERA while striking out 55 batters over 49.1 innings. He should be in High-A soon. More on him here.
2025 Stats: 14 G, 2.19 ERA, 49.1 IP, 32 H, 12 ER, 26 BB, 55 K, .192 BAA
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