As we inch closer to the 2025 season, I am going to give top three prospects at each position. This will be based on where they currently play and also where they may end up. This will culminate with my newly updated top 30 prospects before the season starts. This week, we are moving on to the shortstop position.
Previous Top Three:
1. Brice Matthews
Matthews was seen as one of the best athletes in the Big 1o going into the 2023 draft. The 21-year-old had a breakout junior season slashing .359/.481/.723 with 20 HR, 20 SB for Nebraska. He has a quick swing with strong exit velocities, even for his size. Scouts note he has 20-25 HR potential with good pull power. He covers a lot of ground at shortstop and has the toolset to move to the hot corner if the Astros deem him a fit there. He has some swing and miss in his game but the other positives make up for it. Matthews was able to show off his upside in 2024 hitting 15 home runs and stealing 32 bases as he made it up to Triple-A.
2. Shay Whitcomb
Whitcomb was the Astros 5th round pick in the 2020 draft signing for just $56,000. He had a breakout 2021 season posting a .893 OPS with 23 HR, 30 SB. In 2022, Whitcomb struggled in Double-A but made some adjustments and came back in a big way this year. In 133 games between Double-A and Triple-A, Whitcomb had 35 HR (which led all of minor league baseball) and 102 RBI. Whitcomb has some swing and miss to his game, but he has made adjustments and cut down on the strikeouts while still showing power with 25 homers and 26 stolen bases while batting .291 in 108 games in Triple-A in 2024. Read more on him here.
3. Chase Jaworsky
Jaworksy was the Astros 5th round pick in 2023, and signed for $800k, nearly $500k overslot. Jaworsky is a smooth athlete listed at 6’1″ and 170 lbs. He is a righty thrower, lefty hitter. Scouts have noted he has a strong arm, good range at shortstop and a left handed swing that has some pop. Jaworksy gives the Astros some high potential in the middle of the diamond. He started 2024 out in Single-A and despite a lower average, he has connected on 20 doubles and 4 homers to go along with 28 stolen bases. Jaworsky saw his batting average go up every month but the season was cut short at the end of July due to an injury. Read more on Jaworsky here.