Astros OF Prospect Poised For Breakout Season

The Houston Astros do not have a highly-regarded farm system at the moment. But it doesn’t mean the organization doesn’t have a prospect that can’t break out in 2024.

MLB Pipeline ranked the Astros’ minor-league organization at No. 30 last July. New rankings are coming soon but the staff believes the Astros’ No. 1-ranked prospect is poised for a breakout this season.

Jacob Melton moved into the Astros’ No. 1 prospect slot after the team shipped a pair of outfielders — Drew Gilbert and Ryan Clifford — to the New York Mets to re-acquire pitcher Justin Verlander, who will anchor the Astros’ starting rotation in 2024.

But his ascent wasn’t by default. Melton ended up at Double-A Corpus Christi and wrapped up a tremendous season.

In 99 games with High-A Asheville and Corpus he batted .245/.334/.467 with 23 home runs, 55 RBI and 46 stolen bases. It was his first full season in the minors after a short season in 2022. That short season came after the Astros made Melton their second-round pick out of Oregon State. Houston was able to sign him for a $1 million signing bonus.

That faith is starting to pay off.

Melton may not be ready for a Major League debut this season, but the outfield positioning with the Astros is taking shape. The retirement of Michael Brantley opened up a spot in the rotation.

The starting outfield shapes up to be Chas McCormick, Jake Meyers and Kyle Tucker, with Mauricio Dubón playing in a super-utility role that allows him to help in center field. There is also Yordan Alvarez, who can play left field but is more likely to be a full-time designated hitter.

Melton’s performance in Spring Training will determine whether he goes back to Corpus Christi or gets a promotion to Triple-A Sugar Land. But if he breaks out the way MLB Pipeline believes he will, a promotion to the Majors in 2024 isn’t totally out of the question.