8. EZEQUEIL ASTACIO, rhp, Round Rock Express (Astros) Age: 25 Ht: 6-3 Wt: 150 B-T: R-R Drafted/Signed: Phillies FA '98 (Dominican Republic) The league leader in strikeouts, Astacio seemed like a different pitcher from the one acquired from the Phillies in the Billy Wagner deal. He hadn't急struck out more than 100 in a season since the Phillies signed him in 1998, but he nearly reached 200 this year. Astacio knows how to use his three pitches that are at least average: a 90-93 mph fastball with good sink, a sharp curveball that some managers called a slider, and a changeup with split-finger action. The changeup helped him hold lefthanded hitters to a .248 average and .343 slugging percentage. In contrast, righthanded hitters slugged .381 against him. W L ERA G SV IP H HR BB SO AVG 13 10 3.89 28 0 176 155 12 56 185 .238 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14. WILY TAVERAS, of, Round Rock Express (Astros) Age: 22 Ht: 6-0 Wt: 160 B-T: R-R Drafted/Signed: Indians FA '99 (Dominican Republic) Round Rock manager Jackie Moore understandably ranked Taveras as one of the best position players in the league, having witnessed first-hand the affect the speedster had on his club's opponents. Taveras terrorized TL foes with the best pure speed in the league (a 70 runner) and the ability to use it to get on base and steal once on the basepaths (55 steals in 66 attempts). Managers also liked how Taveras, acquired in the offseason from the Indians in the Rule 5 draft (the Astros subsequently traded lefthander Jeriome Robertson to Cleveland to retain Taveras' rights when they sent him to the minors), played defensively in center field. He glided between the two gaps, covering vast tracts of ground and keeping runners honest with an average, accurate arm. However, while Taveras hit .335, most were skeptical of his ability to hit for average at higher levels. He has little power (.386 slugging, 16 extra-base hits) and doesn't walk as much as he could to take advantage of his speed. "I usually like speed guys to run from the left side," one manager said. "Taveras is righthanded, and I could really see righthanders just pound him inside in the big leagues. He's more of a fourth outfielder for me because he doesn’t drive the ball, kind of like a Dave Roberts type." AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS AVG OBP SLG 409 76 137 13 1 2 27 38 76 55 11 .335 .402 .386 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18. D.J. HOULTON, rhp, Round Rock Express (Astros) Age: 25 Ht: 6-4 Wt: 220 B-T: R-R Drafted/Signed: Astros '01 (11) While Astacio put up the big strikeout numbers, Houlton was Round Rock's most consistent and effective pitcher. He ranked second in the league in ERA and strikeouts,despite not having a pitch any scout or manager termed above-average . That stood in contrast to Astacio or fellow Express starter Jared Gothreaux, who has a plus slider, but Houlton has the best command of the bunch and profiles as a fourth starter. Houlton does it with a varied, deep repertoire. He throws his fastball in the 87-92 mph range, averaging right around 90 with it and throwing it for strikes to all parts of the strike zone. Houlton also throws a solid average changeup and curveball, and managers were split as to whether the curve or the change was his best pitch. He also toys with a splitter and slider. "He's got a great feel for the ball," said a scout with an American League club. "He throws three pitches that are average, but he moves them all around the strike zone. I like his chances." W L ERA G SV IP H HR BB SO AVG 12 5 2.94 28 0 159 141 14 47 159 .237 --

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