Oct. 14, 2014; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Houston Astros pitcher Mark Appel plays for the Salt River Rafters during an Arizona Fall League game against the Surprise Saguaros at Salt River Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

With opening day right around the corner and the sense of optimism among the MLB club, it seems like some shine has been taken away from the Minor League system. This could be because of the graduations of guys like George Springer and Jon Singleton and the trades of Michael Foltynewicz and Rio Ruiz.

Either way, the Astros system is stacked with talent at all levels and we should have a good minor league year ahead of us.

The Captain

Carlos Correa, sometimes known as “the captain”, is back from injury and will be starting the season with the AA Corpus Christi Hooks. I think most know Correa is the top player in the Astros system and a consensus top five prospect in all of baseball. Prior to his injury last season he was hitting .325 with 6 HR, 57 RBI, 20 SB in just 62 games in A+.

Correa returned to baseball action this spring and Astros fans were able to get a glimpse of the future. Correa hit .341 (14-41) with 2B, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 2 SB in spring training before being reassigned to minor league camp. This may very well be the last time he is reassigned to minor league camp. It will be fun to watch Correa playing just south of Houston in Corpus Christi this season.

Maverick

Brett Maverick Phillips put together an incredible season last year. In doing so he won the Astros Minor League Hitter of the Year and really had a breakout season. He hit .310 with 29 2B, 14 3B, 17 HR, 68 RBI, 23 SB between A/A+.

He was able to get a taste of major league action this spring hitting .500 (3-6) with HR, 2 RBI. It appears Phillips will start the season in Lancaster where he hit .339 with 8 2B, 4 HR last season in only 27 games. Another good season from Phillips and he will make his way onto top prospect lists.

Who could breakout?

There are many guys who could breakout this season but a guy I am looking forward to watching is Jason Martin. Martin started the season in rookie ball hitting .274 before earning a promotion to A- where he played against competition three years older than him. 2015 could be a big season for Martin as he may start in full season ball.

Martin has some pop and great speed. Last season 14 2B, 7 3B, 13 SB in 63 games. He also shows good plate discipline with a 31 BB/43 SO ratio. Jason Martin could be the Astros breakout minor league player this season, similar to what Brett Maverick Phillips was last season.

While Martin seems to be a favorite to breakout, one of my real sleeper picks is Kristian Trompiz. Trompiz is a 19 year old shortstop out of Venezuela. Last season he hit .285 with 16 2B, 18 BB/29 SO between two rookie levels and A-. It appears the Astros are being aggressive with him starting him off in Quad Cities. He is definitely a guy to keep an eye on.

I hope you’re all as excited as I am for the 2015 season. The Major League team will be fun to watch but the farm system should be equally as exciting to follow.

Click NEXT to see my Astros top 15 prospect list, as well as all my top prospect lists for each position.

Go Astros!