MLB Pipeline announced the addition of outfielder Justin Dirden, infielder David Hensley and right-handed pitcher Jayden Murray as the Houston Astros' No. 28-30 best prospects.
The three join the ranking with the departures of Enmanuel Valdez, Wilyer Abreu and Chayce McDermott — who were all traded Monday. Valdez reached Triple-A this season while posting the best offensive numbers of any Astros' farmhand.
Abreu was emerging as a candidate for a promotion this summer with his ability to draw walks at a high clip and his power from the left side. Both lefties broke into the back end of the Boston Red Sox's top 30.
McDermott may have been on the Baltimore Orioles' radar for sometime now. The righty was taken with a fourth-round compensation pick by Houston in 2021 — five picks before Baltimore selected a different college right-handed pitcher.
While also exposed to the Orioles' development system in North Carolina the last two summers, McDermott's high strikeout rate could lead to a future spot in Baltimore's rotation if he can get a better touch on his command. The Orioles also employ a multitude of former Astros front office members, including former senior manager of player evaluation Brendan Fournie.
Dirden, a 2020 undrafted free agent, breaks into the top 30 the same day he was named Texas League Player of the Week. His offensive prowess has boosted his chances of a Triple-A promotion next week, if not sooner.
Hensley has progressed as a hitter in the leadoff role for the Sugar Land Space Cowboys. The righty has a similar plate approach to Alex Bregman with one of the best walk rates in the system, and his defensive versatility at all four infield positions and left field will advance him through the system.
Lastly, Murray joined the system in the three-team trade for Trey Mancini. General manager James Click was a member of the Tampa Bay Rays' front office when the righty was selected in the 2019 draft.
Murray was assigned to Double-A Corpus Christi upon his acquisition, but he reached Triple-A this year with the Rays organization. The 25-year-old starter has a 3.24 ERA and an 8.14 K/9 across 80 2/3 innings in 2022.
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