The narrative around the Astros’ farm system hasn’t been kind.
Rankings have hovered near the bottom. Evaluators have questioned depth. The pipeline, many say, needs a spark.
Ethan Frey might be that spark.
Houston’s 2025 third-round pick out of LSU is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about players in camp. At 6-foot-6 and 225 pounds, Frey looks the part of a classic power prospect. But what’s surprising scouts isn’t just the size — it’s the polish.
Jun 18, 2025; Omaha, Neb, USA; LSU Tigers designated hitter Ethan Frey (16) scores against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the ninth inning at Charles Schwab Field. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images | Dylan Widger-Imagn Images
Frey was viewed as a risk coming out of Baton Rouge. Injuries limited much of his first two collegiate seasons, and even after posting a dominant .331/.420/.641 line in 2025, there were questions about durability and long-lever swing mechanics.
He answered some of those immediately.
In 26 games at Single-A Fayetteville, Frey slashed .330/.434/.470 with a 16.4% walk rate and a manageable 20.5% strikeout rate. For a hitter with his frame, avoiding swing-and-miss traps is a major development.
Baseball America took notice, naming him a breakout candidate for 2026.
Now, spring training is amplifying the buzz.
Astros player development staff have shared clips of Frey barreling fastballs and breaking balls to all fields during batting practice. The power is real — easy carry, effortless loft, and the kind of opposite-field pop that hints at advanced barrel control.
But it’s not just the bat.
Frey brings legitimate athleticism. He’s capable of handling center field, owns the arm strength for right, and swiped nine bases in limited minor league action last year. That combination — size, speed, defensive versatility — gives him a ceiling that goes beyond a corner-only slugger.
He turns 22 on March 15.
If he continues to hit at each level, the timeline could accelerate quickly. Astros beat reporter Chandler Rome speculated earlier this winter that Frey could enter the big-league conversation as soon as this season.
That might sound aggressive.
But Houston doesn’t need a full rebuild of its system narrative. It needs one or two impact prospects to reshape perception. Frey, with five-tool potential and a mature offensive approach, fits that profile.
A September call-up isn’t out of the question if he dominates early levels in 2026. And by 2027, he could be more than just a name on prospect lists — he could be part of the core.
For an organization often defined by major-league success rather than farm rankings, Frey represents something quietly powerful:
Hope for the next wave.
And this spring, he’s making sure people are watching.
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