The Houston Astros have made significant strides in their farm system, which has historically ranked poorly. MLB Pipeline's recent update for the 2025 season highlights this progress, noting that the Astros now boast their strongest group of positional prospects. Notable names include slugger Cam Smith, who has dazzled with a .571 batting average in spring training, and Brice Matthews, who has moved up in the ranks. The pitching prospects also show promise, with Miguel Ulloa and Anderson Brito leading the charge. Ulloa's performance in the minors has been impressive, while Brito's impressive debut ERA of 1.51 has drawn attention.

The Astros' top five prospects are rounded out by Jacob Melton, Walker Janek, and Zach Dezenzo, with Melton providing a strong outfield option and Janek as a promising catcher. The depth in their system is further emphasized by the emergence of additional pitchers like Ryan Forcucci and Ethan Pecko. This revitalization of the Astros' farm system signals a bright future for the organization as they continue to build for sustained success.

With spring training in full swing, the battle for starting positions across MLB is heating up, particularly in the AL West. The Houston Astros are reconsidering Jose Altuve's role, with potential shifts to left field following Alex Bregman's departure, raising fantasy stakes for second base options like Mauricio Dubon and Brendan Rodgers.

In Los Angeles, the Angels face uncertainty at shortstop with Zach Neto sidelined, placing Luis Rengifo in a favorable position for daily at-bats. Meanwhile, the Athletics are looking to Seth Brown for left field duties amidst a crowded roster, and the Mariners' Mitch Garver and Mitch Haniger aim to rebound from poor seasons as they vie for designated hitter spots. The Rangers, on the other hand, are eager to see how Evan Carter performs in center field, especially with Adolis Garcia's injury.

As the MLB season approaches, Cy Young Award betting odds are making headlines. In the American League, Garrett Crochet stands out with impressive strikeout rates, though health is a concern. Framber Valdez of the Astros offers durability and consistency, making him a strong contender at +1700. Joe Ryan and Bailey Ober of the Twins are intriguing longshots with potential, especially if they can stay healthy.

In the National League, Paul Skenes is the favorite at +300, but injury risks loom. Tyler Glasnow could deliver value at +1700 if he remains healthy, while Spencer Strider's return from surgery makes him a wildcard. Spencer Schwellenbach offers great odds at +4000 and could break out with the Braves' support. These bets highlight the unpredictability of the upcoming season.

The Houston Astros navigated a challenging season in 2024, marked by significant injuries to their pitching staff. This situation thrust players like Ronel Blanco into larger roles, particularly after stepping in for the legendary Justin Verlander. Blanco's season began with a remarkable no-hitter against the Toronto Blue Jays, followed by a dominant performance against the Texas Rangers, showcasing his potential. Over 30 appearances, he posted a 2.80 ERA and 167.1 innings pitched. Entering 2025, he is set to be the No. 3 starter behind Framber Valdez and Hunter Brown.

However, concerns loom regarding his ability to sustain this success. Analysts, including Ryan Phillips of Sports Illustrated, point out a disparity between Blanco's ERA and advanced metrics like xFIP, suggesting he may face regression. His reliance on inducing soft contact and benefiting from elite defensive plays could mean a return to the mean is likely. Despite these concerns, Blanco is expected to remain a valuable asset for the Astros as they look to bounce back from a season filled with pitching woes.

As fantasy baseball drafts approach, the conversation around closer selections remains contentious. While saves can be a puntable category, they are also readily available on waivers throughout the season. This analysis categorizes potential opening-day closers by average draft position, providing insight into when and how to draft these relievers.

The top tier of closers includes elite talents like Emmanuel Clase and Josh Hader, who possess not only job security but also the skill set to thrive. However, their draft positions might deter some from taking a closer over impactful hitters in earlier rounds. In contrast, the second tier features solid options like Edwin Díaz but still poses the dilemma of sacrificing potential star hitters.

As we move further down the draft board, potential closers can be found in the third tier, where pitchers like Félix Bautista and Jhoan Durán could emerge as valuable assets. The final tiers present various options, but they come with significant risk, often leaving drafters with a choice between safety and the thrill of finding a diamond in the rough. This year, the discussion on how to approach drafting closers remains as vital as ever.