HOUSTON – The Astros viewed the 2026 Draft as one of their most important in more than a decade in terms of adding talent to a system that sorely needs it. With their biggest bonus pool since 2015 and four picks inside the top 100, the Astros drafted six players who are now ranked in their Top 30 prospects list, released by MLB Pipeline on Thursday. That’s headlined by a pair of first-round picks in outfielder Logan Hughes and right-handed pitcher Jack Radel, as well as left-hander Wes Mendes, who was taken 57th overall. The Astros also paid over slot value for a pair of high school infielders who are now among their top prospects – Beau Peterson and Keon Johnson. Keep an eye on right-hander Juan Fraide, who is one of the system’s more exciting pitching prospects not named Ethan Pecko, Bryce Mayer or Nick Potter. Fraide has a 2.96 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 53 strikeouts with 22 walks in 48 2/3 innings at Single-A Fayetteville. The system is still anchored by 18-year-old outfielder Kevin Alvarez and 19-year-old infielder Xavier Neyens, who are the only Astros prospects in the MLB Top 100. Both were considered untouchable when it came to the Trade Deadline, showing the Astros’ commitment to continue to rebuild a farm system that looks much better than it did prior to the Draft. |
Here’s a look at the Astros’ top prospects: 1. Kevin Alvarez, OF (MLB No. 80) 2. Xavier Neyens, 3B/SS (MLB No. 94) 3. Logan Hughes, OF 4. Albert Fermín, SS/2B 5. Jack Radel, RHP Complete Top 30 list » Biggest jump/fall Here are the players whose ranks changed the most from the preseason list: Jump: Jason Schiavone, C/1B (Preseason: Unranked | Midseason: 6) – An 11th-round pick in the 2024 Draft from James Madison University, Schiavone was once considered an underrated prospect, but no more. He’s squarely on the map now with a terrific work ethic, how he handles the pitching staff, and his arm, which is his best tool. After hitting .289 with 17 home runs and a 1.218 OPS in 35 games at High-A Asheville, Schiavone has slashed .237/.372/.370 with six homers and 25 RBIs in 60 games at Double-A Corpus Christi. Fall: Ryan Forcucci, RHP (Preseason: 6 | Midseason: Unranked) – Forcucci got a $1 million signing bonus as a 2024 third-round pick out of UC San Diego, but he underwent Tommy John surgery June 5, 2024, and didn’t pitch professionally until this year. It hasn’t gone well. He’s pitched in 12 games (10 starts) at Single-A Fayetteville and has a whopping 16.53 ERA and 3.245 WHIP in 16 1/3 innings. He’s averaging 19.8 walks and 9.4 hits allowed per nine innings and has thrown 11 wild pitches. |
New to the list Here are the players added to the Top 30 from outside the organization: No. 3 Logan Hughes, OF (Pick No. 17 in 2026 Draft) No. 5 Jack Radel, RHP (Pick No. 28 in 2026 Draft) No. 11 Beau Peterson, 3B (Pick No. 133 in 2026 Draft) No. 13 Wes Mendes, LHP (Pick No. 57 in 2026 Draft) No. 19 Keon Johnson, SS (Pick No. 93 in 2026 Draft) No. 20 Juan Fraide, RHP (Signed as international free agent in January 2025) No. 24 Kam Durnin, SS (Pick No. 121 in 2026 Draft) No. 27 Jagger Beck, RHP (Signed as undrafted free agent in July 2024) Best tools Players are graded on a 20-80 scouting scale for future tools -- 20-30 is well below average, 40 is below average, 50 is average, 60 is above average and 70-80 is well above average. Players in parentheses have the same grade. Hit: 60 -- Kevin Alvarez Power: 65 -- Xavier Neyens Run: 60 -- Lucas Spence (Max Holy, Anthony Millan) Arm: 70 -- Walker Janek Defense: 65 -- Holy Fastball: 65 -- Miguel Ullola Curveball: 60 -- Jagger Beck Slider: 60 -- Beck Changeup: 60 -- Cole Hertzler (Wes Mendes, Jackson Nezuh) Control: 55 -- James Hicks (Mendes, Jack Radel) |
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THIS WEEK IN ASTROS HISTORY |
The 1986 Astros were capturing the hearts of Houston baseball fans 40 years ago while they were rolling toward the National League West Division title – the second in franchise history. On Aug. 14, the Astros rallied for three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to beat the Dodgers 3-2 before 42,118 fans at the Astrodome. Glenn Davis singled home Billy Hatcher to beat Fernando Valenzuela, who carried a shutout into the eighth. Two members of that 1986 team – Phil Garner and Alan Ashby – will be inducted into the Astros Hall of Fame on Saturday. Garner is one of three members of the 1986 team to pass away this year. Infielder Davey Lopes died on April 8, Garner on April 11 and catcher Mark Bailey on May 26. |
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