Finishing second in the AL West by three games broke the Astros four year streak of winning the AL West. They've been the dominant force in the division, winning it seven times in the last 10 years, including two World Series crowns in four tries in that span. With Yordan Alvarez healthy alongside the additions of Mike Burrows and Tatsuya Imai to their rotation, they will be looking to return to the top. The selection of Xavier Neyens and Ethan Frey has injected some hitting to dream on into their farm system. As did the signing of Kevin Alvarez. After a 13 game stint last year, Brice Matthews will be hoping to return to the big leagues and contribute. Houston doesn't boast some of the massive upside of other farm systems around the league, but they have some interesting pieces and a plethora of potential contributors to add to their core group of players.
About Our Top 20 Lists
Prospects Live, led by its evaluating team & Director of Scouting Rhys White, is proud to begin rolling out its annual offseason system reports. The team combines industry feedback, our live looks, film, and available data to compile each org. We believe this effort has enabled us to present you, the reader, with our best possible view of the prospects in the organization.
We have constructed this list using the Overall Future Potential (OFP) scale. There is no perfect equation for ranking prospects or assigning value to them, but we believe this method is the best possible approach. Every prospect on this list has been graded based on the tried and true 20-80 scouting scale. An 80 is the highest tool and OFP grade on the scale, reserved for MVP-caliber players or tools. Conversely, a 20 is reserved for non-prospects (NPs). A 50 OFP falls in the middle, indicating our evaluators deem this player a future average major league player. Below the 50 OFP tier are the 45s and 40s, comprising a large majority of players on each list. These are specific-role players, such as platoon hitters, utility players, or low-leverage relievers. Above the 50 OFP tier are the 55s and 60s. A 55 represents a future above-average player, and a 60 OFP designation is reserved for future All-Star caliber players.
In addition to the tool grades and OFP, we will also include a 'Risk' associated with each prospect. We use this to better communicate to you, the reader, whether a grade is more aggressive or conservative in nature. The evaluation team has worked hard to apply both the grades and risk components to better illustrate how each individual prospect stacks up in their respective system and in the baseball ecosystem.
The Astros selected Xavier Neyens with the 21st overall pick in the 2025 draft. Neyens is a prep infielder out of Washington and was committed to Pacific Northwest powerhouse Oregon State before signing with Houston for the full slot value of 4.12 million. Neyens has a monstrous build for a 19-year-old. He stands at 6’4”, 210 pounds, and already possesses present raw power that could stack up against big leaguers. Neyens is a patient hitter at the plate and perhaps a bit too passive. The contact skills project is fringey, in my opinion, but Neyens won't need to run a crazy average to make a major impact thanks to the double-plus power. He is going to need to swing the bat more, though, in order to realize his full power potential. I suspect that as he faces better pitching who command the zone better, Neyens will naturally progress in this area. It’s a third base profile defensively, where Neyens has the size, arm strength, and athleticism to stick long term. Potential to move across the diamond to first base, but I don't envision that happening until at least his age-30 season. Neyens immediately slots in as one of Houston’s top prospects and has the potential to be a 30+ home run bat down the line. - Jacob Maxwell
Director of Dynasty Content - Canadian born and raised, moved to Arkansas with my wife and two sons Ezra and Ari. Followed and played baseball my whole life; played dynasty for 25+ years.
A Giants fan living in San Diego, been playing fantasy baseball since 2005 and dynasty since 2021. Started the Dynasty Baseball Pickups podcast in June 2023 and joined Prospects Live in March of 2024.
Dynasty player of 10+ years. Helping you find the building blocks of your championship rosters as a co-host on the Dynasty Baseball Pickups podcast since mid-season 2023, joined Prospects Live at the start of 2024.
As Director of Pro Scouting, I lead a talented group of evaluators as we break down future stars. You can find me at random California League games throughout the season!
