With the 2018 season getting started, here's a look at where the Astros' Top 30 prospects are starting the season:
1. Forrest Whitley (MLB No. 9), RHP -- Suspended
2. Kyle Tucker (MLB No. 16), OF -- Fresno Grizzlies (AAA)
3. J.B. Bukauskas (MLB No. 77), RHP -- Quad Cities River Bandits (A)
4. Yordan Alvarez, OF/1B -- Corpus Christi Hooks (AA)
5. Freudis Nova, SS/3B -- Extended spring training
6. Cionel Perez, LHP -- Corpus Christi Hooks (AA)
7. Jorge Alcala, RHP -- Buies Creek Astros (A Adv)
8. David Paulino, RHP -- Fresno Grizzlies (AAA)
9. J.D. Davis, 3B -- Houston Astros (MLB)
10. Corbin Martin, RHP -- Buies Creek Astros (A Adv)
11. Hector Perez, RHP -- Buies Creek Astros (A Adv)
12. Rogelio Armenteros, RHP -- Fresno Grizzlies (AAA)
13. Jairo Solis, RHP -- Extended spring training
14. Joe Perez, 3B -- Extended spring training
15. Ronnie Dawson, OF -- Buies Creek Astros (A Adv)
16. Framber Valdez, LHP -- Corpus Christi Hooks (AA)
17. Drew Ferguson, OF -- Fresno Grizzlies (AAA)
18. Dean Deetz, RHP -- Suspended
19. Cristian Javier, RHP -- Quad Cities River Bandits (A)
20. Riley Ferrell, RHP -- Corpus Christi Hooks (AA)
21. Myles Straw, OF -- Corpus Christi Hooks (AA)
22. Jonathan Arauz, SS -- Quad Cities River Bandits (A)
23. Gilberto Celestino, OF -- Extended spring training
24. Garrett Stubbs, C -- Fresno Grizzlies (AAA)
25. J.J. Matijevic, OF -- Quad Cities River Bandits (A)
26. Jandel Gustave, RHP -- Houston Astros (MLB) -- DL
27. Chuckie Robinson, C -- Buies Creek Astros (A Adv)
28. Brett Adcock, LHP -- Buies Creek Astros (A Adv)
29. Abraham Toro-Hernandez, 3B/C -- Buies Creek Astros (A Adv)
30. Brandon Bailey, RHP -- Buies Creek Astros (A Adv)
• Astros prospect coverage | Astros Top 30 prospects stats
Team to watch
Double-A Corpus Christi boasts the best hitter/pitcher combination in the system with precocious outfielder/first baseman Yordan Alvarez and left-hander Cionel Perez. Alvarez batted .304/.379/.481 between two Class A clubs, and he played in the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game during his U.S. debut, while Perez made four starts for the Hooks to conclude his first year in the States. Right-hander Forrest Whitley, baseball's top pitching prospect in the Minors, likely will join them once he serves a 50-game suspension for violating the Minor League drug program.
Where baseball's top prospects are starting the 2018 season
Teams on MiLB.TV
Fresno Grizzlies
Corpus Christi Hooks
Quad Cities River Bandits
New faces
Right-hander Brandon Bailey recorded 120 whiffs in 91 innings with two Class A teams in the Athletics' system last year, then came to the Astros in a November trade for outfield prospect Ramon Laureano. Third baseman Perez, a second-round pick last June, won't make his pro debut until this summer. He hit 98 mph with his fastball and drew interest as a pitcher last spring before having Tommy John surgery, and Houston believes in his offensive upside.
On the shelf
Besides Whitley, right-hander Deetz also is out with a suspension (80 games) after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance. Right-hander Gustave is on the big league disabled list as he continues his comeback from Tommy John surgery last June.