by Richard Douglas
The Astros have basically abandoned the now to build for the future. The front office last season sent off about $50 million of payroll to get the team going in a whole new direction. 11 of Baseball America's top 30 were acquired in trades, and 9 of them are high schoolers. All of this young depth on the farm of course meant the big league club suffered, going 4-33 over one stretch last season. The team this year opened with just $18 million on the payroll books, but the lower levels of the system have a lot of high ceiling players, first and foremost last years top overall pick Carlos Correa. The short stop out of Puerto Rico signed for $4.8 million in bonus money, the highest the team has ever paid out. Correa hit for .705 OPS last year, but as significantly better at Greenville posting a 1.050 OPS as just a 17 year old rookie. Scouts say he his swing has good speed and leverage, and that his approach is balanced. He projects to hit for power as well as average, especially if he can get the strikeouts down (44 in 190 at bats). His defense is more impressive than the bat, possessing a 70 grade arm Correa is the hope for the Astros future, and might be able to make the jump by 2015 if his work ethic pays off.
With Correa, the 'stros also took right handed pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. Lance has a powerful heater that lives 93-97 mph, and can reach up to 100 even late into games. His slider has a diagonal tilt to it, and sits around 85 mph that can be devastating to opposing hitters. He posted a 3.47 FIP last year as an 18 year old, striking out 10 batters per 9 innings of work. His control needs to improve after he walked 4.15 batters per 9 innings, but that will come with time (and a possibly improved changeup).The Astros want him to become a starter, but if his command doesn't improve he might be destined for the pen.
Delino Deshields Jr. is a speed merchant, just like his father. In his 3 year minor league career, he has already stolen 136 bases to getting caught just 31 times. Standing at just 5'9 and 190 pounds, Deshields has surprising pop in his bat with 12 home runs last year, and 24 doubles. He also has a good eye for pitches, walking at a solid 15% of the time. His arm strength is limited, which will likely keep him at 2B as he moves forward. This Spring he OPSed .915 in 17 at bats, and so is riding a nice streak into his season this year.
Mike Foltynewicz repeated at the Low A level in 2012, and it certainly helped his development. He has a four seam ball that can vary from 93 all the way up to triple digits. His secondary pitches, a curveball and a changeup both took big steps this last year becoming plus pitches. Nick Tropeanois another righty with a good fastball that's in the mid to low 90s. His secondary slider needs a lot of work though. He has posted a 9.8 K/( rate so far in the minors, and could get fastracked if he continues to improve.
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