Keith Law ranks 4 Astros prospects in top 100

Following on the heels of ESPN Insider reporter Keith Law's Major League Baseball farm systems ranking, he released his top 100 prospects.

Four Astros made the ranks: infielder Alex Bregman checked in No. 19, right-handed pitcher Francis Martes entered the list at No. 40, first baseman A.J. Reed at No. 44, and Kyler Tucker was at No. 67.

Houston had five prospects on Law's list in 2015: Carlos Correa (No. 3), Mark Appel (No. 44), Vincent Velasquez (No. 56), Colin Moran (No. 73), and Brett Phillips (No. 76). Only Moran still in the Astros system following trades for Carlos Gomez, Mike Fiers, Ken Giles, and graduating Correa. The amount turnover played a factor in Law also dropped the Astros farm system ranked from top five to No.17 in 2016.

Three former Astros prospects appeared on the list as well. Phillips moved up on Law's ranks to number 46. Appel dropped 24 points to No. 68. Former Astros draft pick Brady Aiken enters the list at No. 99.

The Astros second-overall pick in the 2015 Rule 4 MLB Draft, Alex Bregman is ranked ahead of Trea Turner but behind fellow draftees Brendan Rodgers (No. 11) and Dansby Swanson (No. 13). Law called Bregman "the best pure college bat" in the 2015 draft and projected him to second base.

Francis Martes was an another ridiculous piece the Astros stole from the Marlins in the Jarred Cosart. Law said of Martes that he has a chance to be the best piece in the Cosart trade.

Law noted with  A.J. Reed, he "has outstanding power and moves well for a big guy."

Finally with Tucker, Law said "Tucker is a bat-first prospect, a good athlete with a plus arm who should be fine in right."

That said these were only tiny snippets of Law's larger article that is worth a read -- check it out with Insider.