2018 Astros MiLB Opening Day Roster Breakdown

Offering a little insight on the Astros opening day rosters, including where the players came from, where they were in 2017 (and how they did) and those who are considered to be top prospects going into the 2018 season ...

* = Left-handed
# = Switch-hitter

Rankings Noted per the following sources:
BA = Baseball America
BP = Baseball Prospectus
FG = FanGraphs
MLB = MLB Pipeline

FRESNO - AAA

This should be a really strong team. Except for Chris Nunn, Antonio Nunez and Kyle Tucker, all of the players on this team have had at least some experience at AAA and nine of them have had MLB experience.

PITCHERS

Rogelio Armenteros - BP #5, FG #11, BP #12, MLB #12

• Astros 9/14 Cuban signing
• 2017: 14 games in AA; 10 games in AAA (2.04 ERA/1.043 WHIP/123.2 IP combined)

*Buddy Boshers

• 1/18 waiver claim from the Twins; originally Angels 4th round 2008 (Calhoun Community College - AL)
• 2017: 38 games in MLB (4.89 ERA/1.343 WHIP/35 IP); 18G in AAA (3.68 ERA/16.36 WHIP/14.2 IP)

Jacob Dorris

• Astros 6/15 NDFA (Texas A&M Corpus Christi)
• 2017: 23 games in AA; 20 games in AAA (3.00 ERA/1.222 WHIP/72 IP combined)

*Kent Emanuel

• Astros 3rd round 2013 (UNC - Chapel Hill)
• 2017: 16 games in AA; 9 games in AAA (5.72 ERA/1.745 WHIP/116.1 IP combined)

*Reymin Guduan - FG #20

• Astros 9/09 international signing (Dominican Republic)
• 2017: 22 games in MLB (7.88 ERA/2.250 WHIP/16 IP); 39 games in AAA (5.87 ERA/1.630 WHIP/46 IP)

Mike Hauschild

• Astros 33rd round 2012 (University of Dayton)
• 2017: 4 games in MLB for Rangers as Rule 5 pick (11.25 ERA/2.000 WHIP/8 IP); 18 games in AAA (4.58 ERA/1.528 WHIP/90.1 IP)

Francis Martes

• 7/14 trade with Marlins; originally signed by Marlins 12/12 (Dominican Republic)
• 2017: 8 games in AAA (5.29 ERA/2.103 WHIP/32.1 IP); 32 games in MLB (5.80 ERA/1.509 WHIP/54.1 IP)

Brendan McCurry

• 11/15 trade with A's; originally A's 22nd round 2014 (Oklahoma State University)
• 2017: 35 games in AAA (4.43 ERA/1.410 WHIP/44.2 IP)

*Chris Nunn

• Astros 2017 Rule 5 Draft (minor league phase); originally Padres 24th round 2012 (Lipscomb University - TN)
• 2017: 1 game in Independent League (1.80 ERA/1.000 WHIP/5 IP); 4 games in AA (4.76 ERA/1.353 WHIP/17 IP)

David Paulino - MLB #8, BP #8, BA #10

• 9/13 PTBNL in 7/13 trade with Tigers; originally signed 9/10 by Tigers (Dominican Republic)
• 2017: 6 games in MLB (6.52 ERA/1.483/29 IP) followed by suspension and DL stint

Matt Ramsey

• 12/17 Astros Free Agent signing; originally Rays 19th round 2011 (University of Tennessee)
• 2017: 48 games in AA; 5 games in AAA (5.26 ERA/1.530 WHIP/49.2 IP combined)

Cy Sneed

• 11/15 Trade with Brewers; originally Brewers 3rd round 2014 (Dallas Baptist University)
• 2017: 22 games in AA; 4 games in AAA (5.97 ERA/1.587 WHIP/114.2 IP combined)

Andrew Thome

• Astros 6/15 NDFA (University of North Dakota)
• 2017: 4 games in High A; 28 games in AA; 8 games in AAA (4.10 ERA/1.399 WHIP/59.1 IP combined)

Trent Thornton

• Astros 3rd round 2015 (UNC - Chapel Hill)
• 2017: 4 games in AA; 21 games in AAA (5.21 ERA/1.409 WHIP/131.1 IP combined)

CATCHERS

Tim Federowicz

• 12/17 Astros Free Agent signing; originally Red Sox 7th round 2008 (UNC - Chapel Hill)
• 2017: 77 games in AAA (.300/.366/.463); 13 games in MLB (.231/.286/.692)

*Garrett Stubbs - FG #15, BP #16, BA #18, MLB #24

• Astros 8th round 2015 (University of Southern California)
• 2017: 75 games in AA; 23 games in AAA (.232/.328/.321 combined)

INFIELDERS

*Tony Kemp

• Astros 5th round 2013 (Vanderbilt University)
• 2017: 118 games in AAA (.329/.375/.470); 17 games in MLB (.216/.256/.243)

Jack Mayfield

• Astros 6/13 NDFA (University of Oklahoma)
• 2017: 70 games in AA; 42 games in AAA (.283/.327/.500 combined)

Antonio Nunez

• Astros 18th round 2014 (Western Oklahoma State College)
• 2017: 114 games in AA (.223/.316/.270)

*A.J. Reed - BA #24

• Astros 2nd round draft 2014 (University of Kentucky)
• 2017: 127 games in AAA (.261/.358/.525); 2 games in MLB (.000/.000/.000)

Tyler White

• Astros 33rd round 2014 (Western Carolina University - NC)
• 2017: 111 games in AAA (.300/.371/.528); 22 games in MLB (.279/.328/.525)

OUTFIELDERS

Drew Ferguson - MLB #17

• Astros 19th round 2015 (Belmont University)
• 2017: 84 games in AA; 29 games in AAA (.275/.369/.400 combined)

Alejandro Garcia

• Astros 7/15 Cuban signing
• 2017: 42 games in AA; 50 games in AAA (.235/.278/.341 combined)

*Jon Kemmer

• Astros 21st round 2013 (Brewton-Parker College - GA)
• 2017: 87 games in AAA (.299/.399/.533)

*Kyle Tucker - BA #2, BP #2, FG #2, MLB #2

• Astros 1st round 2015 (H.B. Plant H.S. - Tampa, FL)
• 2017: 48 games in High A; 72 games in AA (.274/.346/.528)

CORPUS CHRISTI - AA

There are no real surprises to me on this team (except I did think Riley Ferrell might start his season at AAA). Lorenzo Quintana bears watching as one of the recent Cuban signings; 2018 will be his first taste of affiliated ball. Also worth watching is how Nick Tanielu bounces back in his first full season following ACL surgery. Honestly, the combination of talent and experience on this team will make it fun to watch, but don't expect all of these players to linger at AA.

PITCHERS

Akeem Bostick

• Astros 1/15 trade with Rangers; originally Rangers 2nd round 2013 (West Florence H.S. - Florence, SC)
• 2017: 4 games in High A; 18 games in AA (4.06 ERA/1.334 WHIP/99.2 IP combined)

Brock Dykxhoorn

• Astros 6th round 2014 (Central Arizona College)
• 2017: 25 games in AA (4.62 ERA/1.500 WHIP/99.1 IP)

Riley Ferrell - FG #17, MLB #20, BA #27

• Astros 3rd round 2015 (Texas Christian University)
• 2017: 2 games in High A; 36 games in AA (3.67 ERA/1.204 WHIP/54 IP combined)

Ralph Garza

• Astros 26th round 2015 (University of Oklahoma)
• 2017: 20 games in High A; 15 games in AA; 1 game in AAA (4.22 ERA/1.500 WHIP/64 IP combined)

*Ryan Hartman

• Astros 9th round 2016 (Tennessee Weslayan College)
• 2017: 9 games in Low A; 16 games in High A (3.64 ERA/1.215 WHIP/108.2 IP combined)

Kevin Hill

• Astros 25th round 2016 (University of South Alabama)
• 2017: 14 games in Low A; 10 games in High A; 2 games in AA (1.95 ERA/0.990 WHIP/64.2 IP combined)

Josh James

• Astros 34th round 2014 (Western Oklahoma State College)
• 2017: 21 games in AA (4.38 ERA/1.461 WHIP/76 IP)

*Cionel Pérez - FG #6, MLB #6, BA #13, BP #16

• Astros 12/16 Cuban signing
• 2017: 12 games in Low A; 5 games in High A; 4 games in AA (4.13 ERA/1.292 WHIP/93.2 IP combined)

Erasmo Pinales

• Astros 5/13 international signing (Dominican Republic)
• 2017: 21 games in Low A; 12 games in High A (3.39 ERA/1.131 WHIP/61 IP combined)

Yoanys Quiala

• Astros 6/15 Cuban signing
• 2017: 12 games in High A; 12 games in AA (2.57 ERA/1.187 WHIP/108.2 IP combined)

*Sean Stuzman

• Astros 6/16 NDFA (Dallas Baptist University)
• 2017: 16 games in Low A; 13 games in High A; 4 games in AA (2.28 ERA/1.075 WHIP/67 IP)

*Framber Valdez - BA #14, MLB #16, FG #25

• Astros 3/15 international signing (Dominican Republic)
• 2017: 13 games in High A; 12 games in AA (4.16 ERA/1.387 WHIP/110.1 IP combined)

*Alex Winkelman

• Astros 21st round 2015 (Southeast Missouri State University)
• 2017: 8 games in High A; 18 games in AA (3.21 ERA/1.370 WHIP/103.2 IP combined)

CATCHERS

Lorenzo Quintana

• Astros 10/17 Cuban signing
• 2017: Did not play

Jamie Ritchie

• Astros 13th round 2014 (Belmont University)
• 2017: 76 games in AA (.256/.382/.335)

INFIELDERS

*Ryne Birk

• Astros 13th round 2016 (Texas A&M)
• 2017: 81 games in High A; 37 games in AA (.266/.325/.430 combined)

Randy César

• Astros 7/11 international signing (Dominican Republic)
• 2017: 27 games in Low A; 83 games in High A (.297/.350/.403 combined)

Alex DeGoti

• Astros 15th round 2016 (Barry University - FL)
• 2017: 34 games in Low A; 70 games in High A; 5 games in AAA (.236/.341/.356 combined)

Taylor Jones

• Astros 19th round 2016 (Gonzaga University)
• 2017: 50 games in Low A; 55 games in High A (.222/.314/.321 combined)

Arturo Michelena

• Astros 7/11 international signing (Venezuela)
• 2017: 32 games in High A; 52 games in AA (.218/.278/.262 combined)

Nick Tanielu

• Astros 14th round 2014 (Washington State University)
• 2017: DL for most of year; 2 rehab games in Rookie League (.400/.500/.600)

OUTFIELDERS

*Yordan Alvarez - BA #3, FG #3, BP #4, MLB #4

• Astros 8/16 trade with the Dodgers; originally Dodgers Cuban signing 6/16
• 2017: 32 games in Low A; 58 games in High A (.304/.379/.481)

*Carmen Benedetti

• Astros 12th round 2016 (University of Michigan)
• 2017: 69 games in Low A; 23 games in High A (.316/.421/.452 combined)

Myles Straw - BP #16, BA #17, MLB #21

• Astros 12th round 2015 (St. Johns River Community College - FL)
• 2017: 114 games in High A; 13 games in AA (.290/.405/.360 combined)

Stephen Wrenn

• Astros 6th round 2016 (University of Georgia)
• 2017: 42 games in Low A; 83 games in High A (.258/.332/.365 combined)

BUIES CREEK - HIGH A

Of particular note on this team are the three 2017 draft picks (Brandon Bielak, Corbin Martin and Patrick Mathis) who are bypassing Low A Quad Cities completely; it will be interesting to see if they are all up to the challenge. One thing that stands out is how few of these players have significant experience above Low A. There is a lot of talent on this team, but I wouldn't be surprised to see them start off a bit slowly and pick up as the season continues. On the flip side, Jorge Alcala and Hector Pérez will likely hit the ground running; if they can fine-tune their control/command, they will be promoted quickly.

PITCHERS

*Brett Adcock - MLB #28

• Astros 4th round 2016 (University of Michigan)
• 2017: 5 games in Low A; 20 games in High A (3.93 ERA/1.226 WHIP/107.2 IP combined)

Jorge Alcala - MLB #7, BA #8, FG #14

• Astros 12/14 international signing (Dominican Republic)
• 2017: 6 games in Low A; 16 games in High A (3.05 ERA/1.061 WHIP/109.1 IP combined)

Brandon Bailey - FG #18, MLB #30

• Astros 11/17 trade with A's; originally A's 6th round 2016 (Gonzaga University)
• 2017: 15 games in Low A; 9 games in High A (3.26 ERA/1.088 WHIP/91 IP combined)

Jesús Balaguer

• Astros 4/17 Cuban signing
• 2017: 3 games in Rookie League; 5 games in Short Season A; 10 games in Low A (2.73 ERA/1.061 WHIP/33 IP combined)

Brandon Bielak

• Astros 11th round 2017 (University of Notre Dame)
• 2017: 2 games in Rookie League; 8 games in Short Season A (0.80 ERA/0.772 WHIP/33.2 IP combined)

Ronel Blanco

• Astros 4/16 international signing (Dominican Republic)
• 2017: 22 games in Low A; 1 game in High A (3.38 ERA/1.466/88 IP combined)

Justin Ferrell

• Astros 36th round 2014 (Connors State College - OK)
• 2017: 28 games in High A (4.26 ERA/1.372 WHIP/82.1 IP)

Carson LaRue

• Astros 14th round 2016 (Cowley County Community College - KS)
• 2017: 20 games in Low A; 4 games in High A (3.60 ERA/1.133 WHIP/120 IP)

Corbin Martin - FG #8, BP #10, MLB #10, BA #16

• Astros 2nd round 2017 (Texas A&M)
• 2017: 2 games in Rookie League; 8 games in Short Season A (2.20 ERA/0.888 WHIP/32.2 IP combined)

Hector Pérez - FG #5, BA #7, MLB #11, BP #16

• Astros 7/14 international signing (Dominican Republic)
• 2017: 4 games in Low A; 21 games in High A (3.44 ERA/1.453 WHIP/107.1 IP)

Abdiel Saldaña

• Astros 10/13 international signing (Panama)
• 2017: 25 games in Low A; 4 games in High A (3.39 ERA/1.362 WHIP/90.1 IP combined)

*Kit Scheetz

• Astros 6/17 NDFA signing (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University)
• 2017: 2 games in Rookie League; 6 games in Short Season A; 4 games in Low A (1.72 ERA/1.021 WHIP/47 IP combined)

Carlos Sierra

• Astros 1/16 Cuban signing
• 2017: 4 games in Low A; 25 games in High A (2.83 ERA/1.099 WHIP/57.1 IP combined)

CATCHERS

#Carlos Canelon

• Astros 4/14 international signing (Venezuela)
• 2017: 16 games in Short Season A; 8 games in AA (.162/.259/.203 combined)

Chuckie Robinson - MLB #27

• Astros 21st round 2016 (University of Southern Mississippi)
• 2017: 108 games in Low A (.274/.330/.463)

INFIELDERS

Osvaldo Duarte

• Astros 7/13 international signing (Dominican Republic)
• 2017: 47 games in Low A; 28 games in High A (.192/.282/.308 combined)

*Josh Rojas

• Astros 26th round 2017 (University of Hawaii at Manoa)
• 2017: 52 games in Low A; 4 games in AAA (.261/.319/.478 combined)

*Troy Sieber

• Astros 24th round 2016 (St. Leo College - FL)
• 2017: 2 games at Short Season A; 55 games in Low A (.289/.403/.457 combined)

Anibal Sierra

• Astros 7/16 Cuban signing
• 2017: 9 games in Low A; 104 games in High A (.201/.271/.290 combined)

#Abraham Toro-Hernandez - FG #22, MLB #29

• Astros 5th round 2016 (Seminole State College - OK)
• 2017: 32 games in Short Season A; 37 games in Low A (.246/.364/.496 combined)

Kristian Trompiz

• Astros 7/12 international signing (Venezuela)
• 2017: 25 games in Short Season A; 40 games in Low A; 17 games in AA (.275/.340/.322 combined)

OUTFIELDERS

*Ronnie Dawson - MLB #15, BA #21, FG #23

• Astros 2nd round 2016 (The Ohio State University)
• 2017: 116 games in Low A; 13 games in High A (.278/.363/.437 combined)

*Patrick Mathis

• Astros 22nd round 2017 (University of Texas at Austin)
• 2017: 46 games in Rookie League; 3 games in Short Season A (.231/.311/.324 combined)

Chas McCormick

• Astros 21st round 2017 (Millersville University of Pennsylvania)
• 2017: 8 games in Rookie League; 39 games in Low A; 4 games in High A (.298/.355/.399 combined)

Luis Payano

• Astros 7/12 international signing (Dominican Republic)
• 2017: 20 games in Short Season A; 24 games in Low A (.250/.308/.444 combined)

QUAD CITIES - LOW A

HOO-BOY! The River Bandits may be in for a tough start to their season. Between the inexperience of many of these players, the wildness of some of these pitchers and an opening day game time temperature that will be flirting with freezing, it could get ugly. The good news is that there is a ton on talent on the team ... it's just a little raw so the team should improve continuously. I don't see a lot of fast promotions on the pitching staff (by mid-May), other than maybe Cristian Javier (who I thought might start the season with Buies Creek), the more polished J.B. Bukauskas and perhaps Patrick Sandoval if he continues with last season's improvements. As far as position players, it is likely that some of the college drafted players will move more quickly than others, but it's just going to depend on who steps up.

PITCHERS

*Adam Bleday

• Astros 27th round 2017 (University of Pennsylvania)
• 2017: 9 games in Rookie League; 4 games in Short Season A (3.40 ERA/1.267 WHIP/45 IP combined)

J.B. Bukauskas - BP #3, MLB #3, BA #4, FG #4

• Astros 1st round 2017 (UNC - Chapel Hill)
• 2017: 1 game in Rookie League; 2 games in Short Season A (2.70 ERA/1.200 WHIP/10 IP combined)

Robert Corniel

• Astros 7/12 international signing (Dominican Republic)
• 2017: 3 games in Short Season A; 15 games in Low A (4.15 ERA/1.471 WHIP/34.2 IP combined)

Tyler Ivey - FG #27

• Astros 3rd round 2017 (Grayson County College - TX)
• 2017: 1 game in Rookie League; 11 games in Short Season A (5.63 ERA/1.461 WHIP/38.1 IP combined)

Cristian Javier - MLB #19, BA #25

• Astros 3/15 international signing (Dominican Republic)
• 2017: 4 games in Short Season A; 8 games in Low A; 2 games in High A (2.25 ERA/1.083 WHIP/60 IP combined)

Colin McKee

• Astros 18th round 2016 (Mercyhurst College - PA)
• 2017: 17 games in Short Season A (3.51 ERA/1.268 WHIP/41 IP)

*Parker Mushinski

• Astros 7th round 2017 (Texas Tech University)
• 2017: 13 games in Short Season A (3.60 ERA/1.367 WHIP/30 IP)

Yohan Ramírez

• Astros 6/16 international signing (Dominican Republic)
• 2017: 17 games in Low A; 2 games in High A; 1 game in AA (4.66 ERA/1.500 WHIP/75.1 IP combined)

César Rosado

• Astros 12/14 international signing (Dominican Republic)
• 2017: 2 games in Short Season A; 7 games in Low A (4.03 ERA/1.138 WHIP/29 IP)

Carlos Sanabria

• Astros 3/14 international signing (Venezuela)
• 2017: 19 games in Low A (4.46 ERA/1.512 WHIP/80.2 IP)

*Patrick Sandoval - BP #16

• Astros 11th round 2015 (Mission Viejo H.S. - Mission Viejo, CA)
• 2017: 4 games in Short Season A; 9 games in Low A; 1 game in High A (4.09 ERA/1.362 WHIP/61.2 IP combined)

Peter Solomon

• Astros 4th round 2017 (University of Notre Dame)
• 2017: 1 game in Rookie League (0.00 ERA/0.000 WHIP/1 IP) 

*Cole Watts

• Astros 31st round 2017 (Skyline Junior College - CA)
• 2017: 12 games in Rookie League (6.68 ERA/1.742 WHIP/31 IP)

CATCHERS

Gabriel Bracamonte

• Astros 3/14 international signing (Venezuela)
• 2017: 28 games in Short Season A; 12 games in Low A (.239/.301/.348 combined)

#Michael Papierski

• Astros 9th round 2017 (Louisiana State University)
• 2017: 37 games in Short Season A (.198/.377/.380)

INFIELDERS

Jake Adams

• Astros 6th round 2017 (University of Iowa)
• 2017: 48 games in Short Season A (.170/.280/.388)

Marcos Almonte

• Astros 2/14 international signing (Dominican Republic)
• 2017: 84 games in Low A (.248/.276/.382)

#Jonathan Arauz - BP #6, FG #16, MLB #22, BA #23

• Astros 12/15 trade with the Phillies; originally Phillies international signing in 8/14 (Panama)
• 2017: 33 games in Short Season A; 36 games in Low A (.242/.336/.319 combined)

Cody Bohanek

• Astros 30th round 2017 (University of Illinois at Chicago)
• 2017: 47 games in Rookie League; 10 games in Low A (.246/.353/.332 combined)

Roman Garcia

• Astros 19th round 2017 (University of San Diego)
• 2017: 48 games in Rookie League (.277/.342/.457)

Adrian Tovalin

• Astros 16th round 2017 (Azusa Pacific University - CA)
• 2017: 18 in Rookie League; 36 in Short Season A (.218/.294/.396 combined)

OUTFIELDERS

Bryan de la Cruz

• Astros 9/13 international signing (Dominican Republic)
• 2017: 40 games in Short Season A; 10 games in Low A; 10 games in AA (.244/.290/.333 combined)

Corey Julks

• Astros 8th round 2017 (University of Houston)
• 2017: 32 games in Short Season A (.176/.311/.235)

*J.J. Matijevic - BP #16, FG #24, MLB #25, BA #26

• Astros 2nd round 2017 (University of Arizona)
• 2017: 53 games in Short Season A; 6 games in Low A (.228/.290/.384 combined)

Jake Meyers

• Astros 13th round 2017 (University of Nebraska at Lincoln)
• 2017: 42 games at Short Season A (.207/.289/.304)

THE MISSING

The following players didn't make the opening day rosters for the full season teams. There are others, but these are the most noteworthy.

RHP Dean Deetz (MLB #18, FG #21, BA #22) - restricted list
Ended the 2017 season in AAA

RHP Jose Luis Hernandez
On DL for all of 2017

RHP Nick Hernandez - DL?
Ended the 2017 season in AA

RHP Enoli Paredes
Went on the DL in June 2017

1B Jon Singleton - restricted list
Ended the 2017 season in AA

RHP Ryan Thompson - DL?
Ended the 2017 in AA

RHP Forrest Whitley (BA #1, BP #1, FG #1, MLB #1)  - restricted list
Ended the 2017 season in AA