Team Outlook
The Houston Astros prospect list has been bolstered quite a bit by what looks to be a very strong draft. Logan Hughes, Jack Radel, Wes Mendes, Keon Johnson, among others all look like strong additions. Kevin Alvarez and Xavier Neyens create a debate for who should take the top spot, both of them are talented bats. Albert Fermín looked to be another notable prospect on the DSL too. This system has seen quite an infusion of talent over the last year.
About Our Top 30 Lists
Prospects Live, led by its evaluating team & Director of Scouting Trevor Hooth, is proud to begin updating and expanding system reports. The team combines industry feedback, our live looks, film, and available data to compile each org. We believe this effort has enabled us to present you, the reader, with our best possible view of the prospects in the organization.
We have constructed this list using the Overall Future Potential (OFP) scale. There is no perfect equation for ranking prospects or assigning value to them, but we believe this method is the best possible approach. Every prospect on this list has been graded based on the tried and true 20-80 scouting scale. An 80 is the highest tool and OFP grade on the scale, reserved for MVP-caliber players or tools. Conversely, a 20 is reserved for non-prospects (NPs). A 50 OFP falls in the middle, indicating our evaluators deem this player a future average major league player. Below the 50 OFP tier are the 45s and 40s, comprising a large majority of players on each list. These are specific-role players, such as platoon hitters, utility players, or low-leverage relievers. Above the 50 OFP tier are the 55s and 60s. A 55 represents a future above-average player, and a 60 OFP designation is reserved for future All-Star caliber players.
In addition to the tool grades and OFP, we will also include a ‘Risk’ associated with each prospect. We use this to better communicate to you, the reader, whether a grade is more aggressive or conservative in nature. The evaluation team has worked hard to apply both the grades and risk components to better illustrate how each individual prospect stacks up in their respective system and in the baseball ecosystem.
These lists include the most recent draft picks. The picks may not sign with the team, and that will be acknowledged, but for the time being we will include the picks. Should it come out that they are not signing with the organization, we will update the lists to reflect that. The PLive draft team worked hard to get writeups with grades for draft prospects, but because of the difference in level and team, the grades may not reflect their placement.
Evaluators: Grant Carver, Jacob Maxwell, Josh Catlett, Tyler Paddor, Mitch Stachnik, Matt Seese, Will Dodge, Gabriel Estevez, Perry Nadreau, Billy McMahan, Nate Jones, Brandon Tew, Trevor Hooth, Quinn Martin, Danny Barrand
Find all the previous Top 20 Lists, as well as the updated lists Top 30 as they release here:
2026 Team Prospect Lists – Prospects Live
Top 30 Prospects at a Glance
1. Kevin Alvarez, OF – 50 OFP
2. Xavier Neyens, SS – 50 OFP
3. Logan Hughes, OF – 55 OFP
4. Jack Radel, RHP – 45 OFP
5. Bryce Mayer, RHP – 45 OFP
6. Ethan Pecko, RHP – 45 OFP
7. Wes Mendes, LHP – 45 OFP
8. Albert Fermín, SS – 50 OFP
9. Jason Schiavone, C – 45 OFP
10. Ethan Frey, OF – 45 OFP
11. Lucas Spence, OF – 45 OFP
12. Keon Johnson, SS – 50 OFP
13. Beau Peterson, 3B – 50 OFP
14. Cole Hertzler, RHP – 45 OFP
15. Joseph Sullivan, OF – 45 OFP
16. Walker Janek, C – 45 OFP
17. Miguel Ullola, RHP – 45 OFP
18. Luis De Leon, C – 45 OFP
19. Anthony Huezo, CF – 45 OFP
20. Nick Potter, RHP – 40 OFP
21. Juan Fraide, RHP – 45 OFP
22. Jackson Nezuh, P – 40 OFP
23. Kam Durnin, SS – 40 OFP
24. James Hicks, RHP – 40 OFP
25. Adrian Ardines, RHP – 40 OFP
26. Zach Cole Jr., OF – 40 OFP
27. Ryan Forcucci, RHP – 45 OFP
28. Caden Powell, 3B – 40 OFP
29. Parker Smith, RHP – 40 OFP
30. Alimber Santa, RHP – 45 OFP
Scouting Reports
Find Scouting Reports and Tool Grades in each toggle section
Expand All Reports
Kevin Alvarez, OF – 50 OFP
HT: 6-3 WT: 184 H/T: L/L
Highest Level: A
ETA: 2031
OFP: 50
Risk: Extreme
Hit: 50
Power: 55
Field: 50
Throw: 45
Run: 50
Scouting Report
The Astros gave a $2mm bonus to Kevin Alvarez in January of 2025 and it is very, very easy to see why. The frame is extremely projectable, standing at a lean 6’4 with tons of room for strength. Despite the size, Alvarez is smooth within all of his movements and has an impressive fluidity within the swing, which is a beautiful one to watch. Not only does the swing look advanced beyond his years, but the approach does as well. Alvarez is very mature at the plate and has an impressive level of patience. He combines this with good bat to ball skills to have a solid hit tool already with room for more as he gains experience. Similarly, the raw power is above average as it is but is easy to project as plus thanks to the swing mechanics and the huge upside within the frame. He has solid speed right now and moves well in the outfield, although it’s easy to see him ending up in a corner outfield spot if he does add size as projected. Alvarez has to add strength in the arm as well as he develops, but I would expect that to happen and his arm strength could eventually become a weapon. This is one of the highest upsides out there among DSL prospects, and if the body continues to develop while the performance looks like this, his stock will sky rocket up all lists. – Grant Carver
Xavier Neyens, SS – 50 OFP
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