Heading the newest edition of MLB’s farm system rankings should come as no surprise. The Los Angeles Dodgers topped the major leagues last year with a World Series title, and according to MLB.com’s list, they top the minor leagues as well—at least in terms of talent.
On the opposite end of that spectrum sits the Houston Astros, slotted 29th in the rankings ahead of only the San Diego Padres. At No. 98, infielder Brice Matthews is the only top-100 prospect in the organization.
“Though the Astros always continue to sit near the bottom of these rankings, they’re headed to their ninth consecutive playoff berth,” writes MLB.com. “Even after rushing Cam Smith to Houston, the strength of their system remains position players: Matthews; outfielders Jacob Melton, Joseph Sullivan and Kevin Alvarez; shortstop Xavier Neyens and catcher Walker Janek. Sullivan (seventh round) and right-hander Bryce Mayer (16th round) look like steals from the 2024 Draft.”
Matthews and Melton, the Astros’ second-best prospect, have each received playing time at the major league level this season. But they were optioned back to Triple-A Sugar Land on Aug. 1 following a hectic Trade Deadline that brought in Carlos Correa, Jesus Sanchez and Ramon Urias.
Sullivan is batting .223 this season in 93 games spanning both High-A and Double-A, while Mayer holds a 4.11 ERA over 21 games (16 starts) across three different levels of minor league baseball this year.
But despite the low ranking, the Astros are surely focused on the present moment. They are looking to win a division title for the eighth time in the past nine years, holding a one-game lead over the Seattle Mariners in the AL West.
Houston begins a three-game set vs. the Baltimore Orioles on Friday night.