Highlighting top Astros prospects for '09

We are breaking down the top five prospects for each organization for 2009, taking into consideration: games, at-bats, innings and major-league service time. We expect these players to have rookie status remaining heading into next year.

According to MLB rules: "A player shall be considered a rookie unless, during a previous season or seasons, he has (a) exceeded 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched in the major leagues; or (b) accumulated more than 45 days on the active roster of a major league club or clubs during the period of 25-player limit (excluding time in the military service and time on the disabled list)."

Note: Statistics are those at each stop in the minors this season and age represents how old they will be on opening day 2009.

Houston Astros

A few things have combined to make this one of the worst farm systems in baseball, most notably trades for Miguel Tejada, Jose Valverde and Jason Jennings (ugh!) and a few years of late first-rounders (or none at all). They ranked 30th in Baseball America's team prospect rankings last spring and follow it up with an awful year to boot. They might be able to develop some guys from their more advantageous draft position now, but it looks like a long rebuilding project at this point.

1. SP Felipe Paulino, 25

How bad is the Astros' farm system? A guy who didn't even pitch in 2008 is our best guess as their top prospect. If he can find health, he has a shot at competing for a rotation spot this year, but we think he needs to be handled a little too cautiously to be trusted as a real sleeper in Fantasy right now.

2. 3B Christopher Johnson, 24

This Stetson prospect is deemed the Astros' third baseman of the future, which could mean he earns a look as soon as this upcoming season. He won't be a Fantasy star right away, his power his still developing, but he has the potential to be a solid option for the Astros long term.

3. OF Drew Sutton, 25

Sutton was a little old for his level in 2008, but it is hard to argue with a 20-20 outfielder in Double-A. Granted it is a hitter's league, but Sutton has a chance to contribute for the Astros and Fantasy owners in deeper NL-only leagues in 2009.

4. SP Polin Trinidad, 24

In a weak farm system, the Astros might have found something with this skinny left-hander. He posted respectable numbers in the hitter-friendly Texas League and could be a candidate to help the Astros' rotation in 2009. We don't think he will be trustworthy right away, but he could prove to be a reliable starting pitcher long term.

5. OF Colin DeLome, 23

Eli Iorg has a bigger name, better pedigree and more speed, but DeLome has shown more pop at this point, so we give him a nod in the top five. It doesn't make a real difference, though, because we are not sure either player will be develop into big league regular at this point.

Best of the rest: OF Eli Iorg, SP Jordan Lyles, C Jason Castro, SP Douglas Arguello, OF Jordan Parraz, C Max Sapp, C Koby Clemens, SP Bud Norris, SP Kyle Greenwalt, OF Mitch Einertson, SP Brad James, C Federico Hernandez, OF Josh Flores, OF Brian Bogusevic, SP Josh Muecke, OF Yordany Ramirez, OF Jay Austin, SP Ross Seaton, 1B Phil Disher, RP Samuel Gervacio, RP Paul Estrada, RP Chris Hicks, RP Alberto Arias, SS Tommy Manzella, SP David Duncan, 2B Edwin Maysonet, 3B Mark Saccomanno, C Lou Santangelo, SP Robert Bono, 1B James Van Ostrand, 3B Matt Cusick, OF T.J. Steele and C J.R. House.

2008 rookies to exhaust eligibility: C J.R. Towles, RP Wesley Wright and SP Jack Cassel.

Last year's top five here: C Towles, SP Troy Patton (traded to BAL for Tejada), SP Juan Gutierrez (traded to ARI for Valverde), SP Paulino and OF Einertson.

You can e-mail Emack your Fantasy Baseball prospect questions to DMFantasyBaseball@cbs.com. Be sure to put Attn: Astros prospects in the subject field. Please include your full name, hometown and state. Be aware, due to the large volume of submissions received, we cannot guarantee personal responses to all questions.