The Houston Astros have four players (Bryan Abreu, Cristian Javier, Enoli Paredes, and Blake Taylor) at the annual MLB Rookie Career Development Program (RCDP), which is being held this week (January 7-10) in Miami, Florida.
In concert with Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association since 1992, this 29th edition of the RCDP is designed to help up-and-coming major leaguers with off-the-field issues like media training and finances, among other topics. This is the program’s second consecutive year in Miami.
Houston’s Emphasis on Their Young Pitchers
All 30 MLB teams will send a handful of their top emerging prospects, representing positions all over the field. The Astros, though, saw fit to send four pitchers in 2019, and this year is no different.
This week’s attending quartet features three right-handed pitchers from the Dominican Republic and one newly-acquired left-hander from Orange County, California.
If You Got a Plane Ticket, You’re Knockin’ on the Door
A look at last year’s Houston contingent reveals the value the team placed on them, as each played a part in helping the Astros capture the American League flag in 2019: Josh James, Cionel Perez, Rogelio Armenteros, and Framber Valdez. All but Armenteros made their MLB debuts in 2018.
By contrast, of the current group, only Abreu has broken through onto the parent club. The Dominican native made his MLB debut on July 31 and even saw brief action in the ALCS against the New York Yankees.
Related: Bryan Abreu Poised to Replace Will Harris as Valuable Bullpen Piece
Abreu’s fellow Dominican countryman, Javier, moved quickly through three levels of Houston’s system in 2019 (A+ through Triple-A) and is certain to make his big league debut in 2020.
Paredes, another Dominican right-hander, covered High A and Double-A last season and will open 2020 at AAA Round Rock.
The group’s only southpaw, Blake Taylor (also the quartet’s only American-born pitcher) flew through the same three levels in 2019 as did Javier, but only in the New York Mets’ minor league system. Taylor, along with outfielder prospect Kenedy Corona, came over from New York to Houston in exchange for popular outfielder Jake Marisnick, December 5.
Three of Houston’s Top 13 Prospects Are Attending
There are 21 members on MLB Pipeline’s 2019 top prospects list slated to attend this week’s Miami confab. While none of the Astros’ attendees have broken into Pipeline’s top 100, three of the four are highly ranked in Houston’s system. Bryan Abreu leads the pack as the Astros’ #4 prospect. Cristian Javier is #9, while Enoli Paredes sits at #13.
“…A Big Future For Them”
As MLB.com‘s Jonathan Mayo informed readers in 2018, regarding the RCDP gathering, the attendees are important pieces of any organization’s on-the-brink assets:
“At [2017’s] program, National League Rookie of the Year Cody Bellinger was among the many attendees who saw a lot of big league time in 2017, so it’s important to pay attention to who is at this year’s event, and every organization sends some of their top prospects here annually.”
And, “For the players invited, coming to the RCDP not only gives them useful information to help them further their careers, it’s a sign their organizations see a big league future for them.”
“Grab a Cup of Coffee, and Meet Me at the Cabana Ballroom”
Included in various large-group seminars and smaller breakout sessions will be discussions about financial planning, inclusion and respect, the media, performance-enhancing drugs, relationships, and sexual health.
In previous years, retired big leaguers such as former Astro Jose Cruz Jr. (2008), Jeffrey Hammonds, and Hall of Famer Dave Winfield were on-hand to share their experiences from their careers.