As the 2026 season approaches, a handful of Astros prospects find themselves at a crossroads. Some are at a point where they need to produce to take the next step. Other will be eligible for the Rule 5 Draft this winter. Below are a few prospects who need to put together a big year.
Brice Matthews
Matthews entered the 2023 draft as one of the most athletic prospects in the Big Ten. The 21-year-old broke out during his junior season at Nebraska, slashing .359/.481/.723 with 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases. Known
for his quick swing and impressive exit velocities, Matthews projects for some serious pop, though he will need to make more contact. The Astros appear to be toying with different positions with him, which could bode well for his future as a utility player. There is some swing-and-miss in his game, but those concerns are lessened due to his potential. Matthews backed up the scouting reports in 2025, hitting .283 with 10 home runs and 25 stolen bases over 73 games at Triple-A, earning a call-up to Houston. This year could be a crucial year for Matthews as he has a chance to stick at the major league level.
Jackson Nezuh
The Astros pitching lab is at it again with Nezuh, who the Astros selected in the 14th-round for the 2023 Draft out of Louisiana-Lafayette. He began his first full pro season in Single-A, where he struck out 105 batters over 81.2 innings. After earning a promotion to High-A, he was even more impressive, posting a 2.79 ERA with 46 strikeouts in 38.2 innings, bringing his season total to 151 strikeouts across 120.1 innings. Nezuh features a low-to-mid 90s fastball and complements it with a standout split-change, along with a slider and a sweeper that have fueled his high strikeout rates. In 2025 he had some struggles with injuries but finished the season strong posting a 2.00 ERA over his final 27 innings. Nezuh has the stuff to get to the big leagues and a strong 2026 could put him in position to earn a call-up.
Alonzo Tredwell
Tredwell is an imposing presence on the mound, measuring 6’8″ and 230 pounds. A second-round pick in 2023, he had a strong college career at UCLA, finishing with a 2.83 ERA and 113 strikeouts over 92.1 innings. The right-hander features a mid-90s fastball that can touch 96 mph, complemented by a sharp slider as his primary secondary pitch. His fastball plays especially well up in the zone, generating plenty of whiffs due to its carry. Tredwell had a breakout season in 2025. The right-hander pitched across three different levels and posted a 3.69 ERA with 122 strikeouts over 100 innings. This included a dominant 40 strikeouts over 22.2 innings in Double-A to end the season. After a dominant 2025 season, Tredwell will need to replicate this to find himself on the 40-man roster in December.
