This story was excerpted from Brian McTaggart’s Astros Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
HOUSTON -- Sam Niedorf, who's in his first season as the Astros’ director of player development, is currently spending some time laying his eyes on prospects with Double-A Corpus Christi, where several of Houston’s top-ranked Minor League players are beginning the season, including catcher Walker Janek (No. 4), right-hander Bryce Mayer (No. 5) and outfielder Lucas Spence (No. 10).
Niedorf spent some time on Friday giving his thoughts on some of the Astros' prospects who are off to good starts in the first month of the season. He’s also been at High-A Asheville and Single-A Fayetteville this month, getting the lay of the land on the farm system.
Will Bush (No. 18), C/1B, Double-A Corpus Christi
Bush, a left-handed hitter who was selected in the 16th round of the 2023 MLB Draft out of Tyler Junior College, was slashing .308/.514/.577 with two homers, 11 walks and eight strikeouts entering Friday. Bush controls the zone at a really high level, as witnessed by his 29.7 percent walk rate.
“The positional flexibility to play first and catcher provides him opportunities on both spots down the road,” Niedorf said. “But just the approach, the swing decisions, the quality of contact has been really exciting. He's been our star these first three weeks throughout the system.”
Joseph Sullivan (No. 12), OF, Double-A Corpus Christi
Sullivan, selected in the seventh round of the 2024 MLB Draft out of South Alabama, had a .392 on-base percentage entering Friday with five stolen bases, so he can create havoc when he gets on base. He had 11 walks in 51 plate appearances entering Friday, as well.
“The thing about Joseph that I think separates him from most left-handed hitters is his ability to hit left-handed pitching,” Niedorf said. “Historically, it's been neutral splits between pitch sides, which is unique. He’s been moving around between left, center and right field. He's a menace on the bases with already five [steals] this year to date.”
Max Holy, SS, Single-A Fayetteville
Holy, signed as an undrafted free agent in July 2024 out of Central Missouri, was slashing .222/.400/.259 with five stolen bases entering Friday. But what stands out about him is speed and defense. He had 40 steals in 2025 combined between Fayetteville and Asheville and he is burning up the bases for the Woodpeckers.
“What he has done the past couple of years is be one of our premier shortstops in the system and really throughout Minor League Baseball,” Niedorf said. “The thing about Max, he's off to a really good start right now. He's walking more than he ever has. The quality of contact’s improved and he’s been healthy. He had a little bit of a back hiccup in Spring Training, but he's run out there every single day and has been really exciting to watch on both sides of the ball."
Brandon McPherson, RHP, Double-A Corpus Christi
McPherson, signed as an undrafted free agent last July, had thrown six innings in two starts, with six strikeouts, one walk and one homer allowed entering Friday. The 26-year-old was signed out of independent ball last year and struck out 56 batters in 50 1/3 innings at three levels in Houston’s system.
“The fastball’s been up to 99 [mph] this year with really good pitch specs behind it,” Niedorf said. “He’s punching out 34 percent and walking eight percent right now. The stuff’s really intriguing. ... The quality of the stuff has maintained throughout each outing, so he’s someone that has definitely opened our eyes who maybe didn’t have the expectations to start the year that we do now.”
Nick Potter (No. 27), RHP, Single-A Fayetteville
Potter, a fifth-round pick last year out of Wichita State, is off to a quick start in his professional debut. He’s struck out six batters in six innings while making two starts, allowing one walk and one homer. Niedorf said his fastball, which can reach 100 mph with a low release point and induced vertical break, is the best in the system.
“It’s just the athleticism, the projection of the frame, his ability to pitch with the fastball -- both quadrants, east, west, up, down -- that has us really excited, while the slider continues to develop,” Niedorf said. “Nick's background at Wichita State, he didn't throw a ton of innings. So, we're taking it a little bit slow with him to make sure from a workload standpoint that he's checking all of our checks and balances to make sure that he is healthy and able to post as we continue to navigate his first full season. But the fastball has been a true separator for him thus far.”