Road to recovery runs through the farm

8 years displaced from a trip to the World Series, the Houston Astros are putting together one of the worst seasons in the history of Major League Baseball.

The Astros currently stand at 41-83.

I, like anyone who pays attention to off-season moves and understands the tactics of Jeff Luhnow (GM), realized a long time ago that this season was going to be abysmal.

There is a light at the end of the tunnel, Houstonians; the future of the Astros lies tucked away in the Minor Leagues.

Sit tight; in a few years from now our prospects will be called up, and the club will be competitive once again.

We have many talented young baseball players and here is a somewhat comprehensive look at the Astros' five most promising future stars.

SS Carlos Correa: Quad City River Bandits (Class A)

The first pick from the 2012 draft, Correa is young and not expected to grace the MLB until 2016. Correa has performed well in his first full season, (.328, 8 HR, 72 RBI, .409 OBP). Scouts label his defensive skills as “above average” which may seem underwhelming for the 1^st pick in the draft, but it’s key to remember that Correa is 18 years old.

Coaches admire Correa’s work ethic and his ravenous desire to improve his game. He will continue to progress through the Minors while he matures and hones his skills from an offensive and defensive standpoint. As long as management continues to move him along slowly but surely, Correa will be an All-Star in the near future. His potential for success at this game is immeasurable and only time will tell how high this prospect’s ceiling is.  

Grade: 9.25/10

OF George Springer: Oklahoma City RedHawks (Class AAA)

This season Springer has torn the face off of the baseball: (.301, 35 HR, 100 RBI, 39 stolen bases). The thing that makes him so appealing though is his versatility across the board. His combination of skills from a defensively (arm strength, glove work, and speed) will allow the Astros to put him wherever he is needed in the outfield.

This season Springer is trying to become a member of the 40-40 club, (40 home runs and 40 stolen bases) a rare feat at any level. Many anticipate his call up fast approaching although Bo Porter has kept the Astros plans for the outfielder quiet.  

Grade: 8.5/10

SP Mark Appel: Quad City River Bandits (Class A)

In 2012, the Astros passed on the pitcher out of Stanford, however, following Appel’s senior year the Astros drafted him with the first pick in 2013. Appel went 10-4 with a 2.12 ERA and 130 strikeouts in his senior year. He hasn’t pitched much in the minors this season and will most likely be shut down soon due to his work load (combination of his season at Stanford plus minor league work). Last night Luhnow attended the River Bandits game to take a look at Appel, who got the win, and Correa who has 9 hits in his last 18 at bats.

Appel will most likely not reach the Show until 2015. His stuff is excellent and I anticipate him competing to take over the rotation once he arrives at Minute Maid in a few short years.

Grade: 8.5/10

SP Lance McCullers: Quad City River Bandits (Class A)

A first round talent that slipped to the Astros in 2012, McCullers has performed as well as our front office could have hoped when they signed him out of high school (6-5, 3.18 ERA, 117 strikeouts). McCullers has a fastball that consistently hits 97, while his slider is supposedly his second best pitch. He, like Appel, still has a good deal of progress to make. 

It is unclear whether he will compete for a starting job when he is called up or whether he will be used in middle relief/ closing games. Regardless, McCullers can be a consistent middle of the rotation pitcher in the MLB and, depending on how he continues to develop; we could see him by 2015. His control is questionable especially his changeup, but I think it will come with experience.

Grade: 8/10

1B Jonathan Singleton: Oklahoma City RedHawks (Class AAA)

As I have come to learn, Singleton is allegedly the next Godsend for the Houston Astros. He is ranked as the top first base prospect in the league, and many put him right behind Correa in our farm system. His numbers are not overly impressive this season, (.226, 11 HR, 39 RBI, 100 strikeouts) although recently they have been improving. 

He started slow in AAA, but has gradually improved. I guess THC will do that to a professional baseball player. Singleton is coming off of a 50 game ban for a second failed drug test in which he tested positive for marijuana. The four prospects mentioned have all displayed semi-professionalism and maturity, something I do not see in Singleton, yet.

Grade 8/10

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I did not include any player who has been called up this season (Cosart, Villar, etc.) although I doubt any would shift the 5 players listed above.

The Astros look destined to receive the first pick in the draft for the third year in a row, which means another top prospect, never a bad thing.

I would like to sit here and say that the Astros will be good next year, but I do not believe it. Give it five years, if you can make it, and the Astros will be in the mix with the league’s best. Bank on it.