Here's where Astros' top prospects will open the 2025 season

With the Minor League season opening this week, here's where the Astros' Top 30 Prospects are projected to start:

1. Cam Smith (MLB No. 57), 3B -- Houston (MLB)
2. Brice Matthews, SS/3B -- Sugar Land (Triple-A)
3. Jacob Melton, OF -- Sugar Land (Triple-A)
4. Walker Janek, C -- Asheville (High-A)
5. Zach Dezenzo, 3B/1B -- Houston (MLB)
6. Miguel Ullola, RHP -- Sugar Land (Triple-A)
7. Anderson Brito, RHP -- Asheville (High-A)
8. Ryan Forcucci, RHP -- Injured (Tommy John surgery rehab)
9. Kevin Alvarez, OF -- Dominican Republic complex
10. Ethan Pecko, RHP -- Corpus Christi (Double-A)
11. A.J. Blubaugh, RHP -- Sugar Land (Triple-A)
12. Luis Baez, OF -- Corpus Christi (Double-A)
13. Joseph Sullivan, OF -- Asheville (High-A)
14. Chase Jaworsky, SS/2B -- Asheville (High-A)
15. Jackson Nezuh, RHP -- Corpus Christi (Double-A)
16. Colton Gordon, LHP -- Sugar Land (Triple-A)
17. Shay Whitcomb, INF/OF -- Sugar Land (Triple-A)
18. Jose Fleury, RHP -- Corpus Christi (Double-A)
19. Kenni Gomez, OF -- Asheville (High-A)
20. James Hicks, RHP -- Corpus Christi (Double-A)
21. Ryan Gusto, RHP -- Houston (MLB)
22. Pedro León, OF -- Sugar Land (Triple-A) -- injured list (knee)
23. Nehomar Ochoa Jr., OF -- Fayetteville (Single-A) -- injured list (minor car accident)
24. Zach Cole, OF -- Corpus Christi (Double-A) -- injured list (oblique)
25. Juan Bello, RHP -- Asheville (High-A)
26. Michael Knorr, RHP -- Corpus Christi (Double-A)
27. Cole Hertzler, RHP -- Fayetteville (Single-A)
28. Alex Santos II, RHP -- Corpus Christi (Double-A)
29. Jancel Villarroel, C/1B -- Fayetteville (Single-A)
30. Bryce Mayer, RHP -- Fayetteville (Single-A)

Team to watch

Defending Triple-A and Pacific Coast League champion Sugar Land has another talented team, starting with toolsy infielder Matthews and outfielder Melton, as well as hard-throwing right-hander Ullola. Righty Blubaugh and left-hander Gordon return to the Space Cowboys after finishing second and third in the PCL in ERA last year. So do infielder Whitcomb and outfielder León, who combined for 49 homers and 55 steals in Sugar Land, though León opened 2025 on the injured list while working his way back from a strained knee.

Teams on MLB.TV and MiLB.TV

Sugar Land Space Cowboys (Triple-A)
Corpus Christi Hooks (Double-A)
Fayetteville Woodpeckers (Single-A)

Players we could see in MLB in 2025

All of those Sugar Land players mentioned above are candidates to join the Astros this season, and Whitcomb and León already got a taste of the big leagues in 2024. Matthews and Melton could claim starting roles if Brendan Rodgers falters at second base or Chas McCormick scuffles in center field.

New faces

Smith came to the Astros in the Kyle Tucker trade with the Cubs in December, then made his debut with his new organization in the Majors despite just 32 games of pro experience. Houston acquired another prospect from Chicago a month later, getting right-hander Bello in a deal for Ryan Pressly. Cuban outfielder Alvarez signed for $2 million in January and will see his first pro action in the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League in June. Right-hander Forcucci has yet to pitch in a Minor League game because he had Tommy John surgery four months before the Astros took him in the third round last July.

On the shelf

Forcucci should make his pro debut late in the season. León and fellow outfielders Ochoa Jr. (minor car accident) and Cole (oblique) shouldn't miss too much time.