Former LSU catcher Hayden Travinski has signed with the Astros as NDFA. He was put on the Florida Complex League roster. He played Indy ball after his baseball career at LSU ended last year. Looks like nothing more than a depth move but we shall see.
OF Anthony Huezo (2023 over-slot signee in the 12th round) was promoted to Fayetteville a couple days ago and is 6 for 8 with a walk and a dinger so far with no strikeouts. Nice way to announce yourself.
OF Cam Fisher (2023 4th rounder) released. Really talented college bat, just never hit in pro ball.
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Huezo has a very interesting movement history.
They treat him like a minor league roster filler sending him to CC for a day in 24 and then SL for a few days this year.
He has hit in 9 of his first 12 games in Fayetteville but has gone 1 for 10 in his last three with 7Ks. Won’t turn 20 till November.
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As the new draft picks arrive, several players are also being released.
Here are the recent players released -
| 08/05/25 | Asheville Tourists released LHP Nick Swiney. |
|---|---|
| 08/05/25 | Asheville Tourists released SS Cristian Gonzalez. |
| 08/05/25 | Asheville Tourists released RHP Cody Tucker. |
| 08/05/25 | Asheville Tourists activated OF Mason Lytle. |
| 08/05/25 | Asheville Tourists released 2B Luis Encarnacion. |
| 08/05/25 | Asheville Tourists released RHP Matthew Linskey. |
| 08/05/25 | Asheville Tourists released SS Jack Blomgren. |
Most of these were Minor League Free agents signed by the Astros or International Signings from several years ago. (Deleted incorrect info on Lytle)
Released by the Fayetteville Woodpeckers:
Tyler Ras
Cam Brown
Both were minor league free agents signed prior to this year.
Ullola
Can’t really throw strikes but the kid throws haaard
Lytle says activated there, not released.
Whoops - thanks! I was on a roll there.
Huezo gets some love in the “helium” section of today’s BA hot sheet:
Huezo was one of the youngest players in the 2023 draft class when the Astros selected him in the 12th round. He took some time to get his feet under him in pro ball despite stints at High-A, Double-A and Triple-A over the last two seasons. A majority of his pro experience outside of the complex has come with Low-A Fayetteville this season. Huezo has impressed, showing a combination of on-base skills and plus raw power that’s yet to fully show up in games. Huezo’s 107.2 mph 90th percentile exit velocity stands out for a 19-year-old, and he’s consistently hitting the ball at good angles. His bat-to-ball skills are currently below average, but incremental improvements in that area could yield big results. Look for Huezo to jump into the Astros’ Top 30 this offseason.
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Huezo gets another writeup from Geoff Pontes at BA. Pontes suggests he’ll end up around the middle of the Astros’ top 30 list this offseason with room to jump much higher with continued improvement. He’s a very long way from reaching his potential but has started moving the right direction this season.
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Kinda crazy, because if I remember correctly Nehomar Ochoa got far more attention at the time as the high schooler drafted late who could be something special.
Ethan Pecko is a pitcher to watch next year
I think he’s been hurt a lot since being drafted.
Ochoa definitely got more attention and it wasn’t til earlier this year that I realized Huezo actually got the bigger signing bonus (by about $100k).
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Very much so. One of the best pitchers in the system (and finally healthy).
Baseball America ranks Astros international signing class among their top 10 (not order ranked in that 10)
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The write up on the 19 RHP from Mexico, Juan Fraide, was very intriguing.
Sounds like a vintage Astros special. Older guy, smaller guy, fastball + curveball, signed for $10,000.
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Yes. Big velo and big spin rates.