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Jim Callis, Jonathan Mayo and their crew over at MLB.com have released the updated MLB Pipeline 2015 Prospect Watch list, and it included seven Astros prospects, the same number as the final 2014 list included. There were only two holdovers from last season that were included on the latest list. Mark Appel (51), and Domingo Santana (87). Both players slipped down a few notches from where they were ranked previously.
Joining them are three recent draftees and two players that have moved up the rankings with their performance this season in the minor leagues (and with the big club). All three of the top picks in the 2015 draft made the list. Second overall pick Alex Bregman is the top ranked Astros farmhand at 27. Further down are Daz Cameron at 62 and Kyle Tucker at 65. The highest ranked player that was not drafted this year is Brett Phillips. With his great season this year following up a breakout 2014 he climbed all the way up to 39. Vincent Velasquez, finally having an injury free year to showcase his talent, makes his way onto the list at 68 with good showings in the minors and with the Astros after joining the team earlier in the season.
The Astros no longer have any players listed in the top 20, but two in the top 40 and four more between 50 and 80 shows the team still is recognized as having one of the more solid farm systems in the league. Add the names listed here to the young budding stars that are already at the major league level and you can see the process in action.