MACK - A Trade Propisal That Needs To Be Acted Upon Immediately

Something is rotton in Houston.

 

The Astros are 2.5 games back from a wild card slot this season and they find themselves without the service of TWO of their rotation pieces.

 

Jose Urquidy and Cristian Javier both underwent Tomm JOgn surgery over the past three days.

 

They need starters and they need them now.

 

The Mets may be able to offer one, or two, of their current aged starters for solid prospects from the Astros’ prospect piil.

 

Here, according to Jimmy Price of Astros Future are some of the top prospects that the Mets might be interested in:

 

 Jacob Melton, OF

 2024 - AA 123-AB  5-HR  .268/.329/.455/.784

 

Melton was drafted by the Astros in the 2nd round of the 2022 draft out of Oregon State. Melton had a standout junior year in college slashing .360/.424/.671 with 22 2B, 17 HR, 21 SB as he earned Pac-12 player of the year honors. Melton is a left handed swinging outfielder who stands at 6’3″ and 210 lbs. Melton has an advanced approach at the plate and has above average power with the potential to be plus as he also makes a lot of contact. The lefty is a plus runner on the bases and in the outfield and should stick in center field defensively. He has played 2023 between High-A and Double-A connecting on 23 homers and stealing 46 bases. Melton has posted really strong exit velocities numbers and has a chance to be a power outfielder at the major league level.

 

 Joey Loperfido, CF/1B/2B

 2024 - MLB 39-AB  1-HR  .33

        AAA 139-AB   13-HR  .259  .931-OPS

 

Loperfido was drafted in the 2021 draft after putting together a really good senior season. The lefty hitting Loperfido has the ability to work counts, draw walks and make a lot of contact. He had a breakout 2022 season slashing .316/.408/.492 with 25 2B, 12 HR, 32 SB. Loperfido is a plus athlete that should be able to provide above average defense at multiple positions. In 2023 he has his best season as a pro hitting 25 homers, stealing 27 bases and posting a .880 OPS as he made it up to Triple-A. Loperfido possesses above average athleticism which shows on the bases with 60 SB in his minor league career

 

 Zach Dezenzo, 3B/1B/SS

 2024 - FCL REHAB   8-AB  .500

 Wrist injury in spring training

 

Dezenzo was drafted in the 12th round of the 2022 draft and is looking like an absolute steal. He was a senior who put up a strong year at Ohio State slugging .701 with 19 HR in 51 games before dominating the MLB Draft League. The right-hander has plus power and really strong exit velocities numbers. He is a bat-first prospect who bas played both third base and first base, but has the bat profile to fit at either. Dezenzo had his best season as a professional in 2023 hitting .305 with 23 doubles, 18 homers and 22 stolen bases as he moved up to Double-A.

 

 Spencer Arrighetti, RHP

 2024 - MLB -0.3-WAR  3-5  5.79

 

Arrighetti has had an interesting ride to this point. He college career consisted of three different schools with him ultimately getting drafted in the 6th round of the 2021 draft out of the University of Louisiana-Lafayette. He has a mid 90s fastball which has topped at 98 MPH before, and a plus slider to go with it. He has an improving curveball and changeup as well. Arrighetti’s fastball also has a lot of ride on it creating an advantageous approach angle for him. In 2022, Arrighetti struck out 152 in 116.2 innings. In 2023 he made it up to Triple-A racking up 141 strike outs in 124.2 innings.

 

 Luis Baez, OF

 2024 - A+ 194-AB  7-HR  .278/.324/.443/.767

 

The Astros signed Luis Baez for $1.3 million during the 2022 international signing period. The 19-year-old is well built at 6’1″ and 205 lbs and possesses plus power from the right side. He is a solid athlete but won’t provide a ton on the bases, though he should be an adequate defender in the corner outfield spots. In 2023, Baez made his way up to Single-A finishing with 15 doubles, 11 homers in 58 games overall. Scouts note he has the power to be a 25+ HR guy in the big leagues.