This Astros Prospect Could be Dealt at Deadline

If the Houston Astros want to acquire talent at the deadline, they’re going to have to give some up. That could come from the Major League roster.

It could also come from the farm system.

MLB.com recently put together a list of the most likely prospect to be dealt by the Aug. 1 trade deadline for each team.

For the Astros, that prospect is outfielder Jacob Melton.

The Astros just got Melton in the 2022 MLB Draft, selected in the second round. The Astros sent the Oregon State product to their Florida Complex League team in early August and that lasted a week. He then went to Class-A Fayetteville.

He wrapped up 2022 in Fayetteville and earned a promotion to High Class-A Asheville at the start of 2023, where he’s slashed 238/.340/.464/.804 in 67 games with 16 home runs and 33 RBI.

Turns out dealing Melton wouldn’t hurt the Astros’ organizational depth in the outfield, per MLB.com:

Outfielders hold six of the top seven spots on our Top 30 Prospects list for the Astros, who have made six straight AL Championship series appearances, winning three pennants and two World Series during that span. A 2022 second-round choice from Oregon State, Melton has the potential for solid tools across the board.

The Astros are reportedly interested in pitching — both starting and bullpen — and at least one bat at the trade deadline.

Among starting pitching there is San Diego’s Blake Snell and the Chicago White Sox’s Dylan Cease.

One of the top bats on the market belongs to Cubs outfielder Cody Bellinger.