The Houston Astros were recognized as having one of the Top ten core groups in MLB, lead by one outstanding player.

September 1, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros left fielder Yordan Alvarez (44) holds a baseball after hitting a home run in the fourth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Minute Maid Park. / Troy Taormina-Imagin Images

The Houston Astros’ minor league prospect pipeline has recently come under scrutiny. However, their Major League roster is doing well.

ESPN recently evaluated all 30 teams based on their core of players, and the Astros — who lead the American League West heading into Friday’s season opening against the Arizona Diamondbacks

Houston was led by one exceptional player, outfielder/designated hitter Yordan Alvarez.

ESPN divided players into three groups based on WAR (wins above replacement). Elite players were regarded as having a WAR of five or more. ESPN considers these players to be MVPs.

Plus players were considered as those having a WAR of 3-5+. Solid players had a WAR of 1.5-3+, or those who are lower end starters or role players.

The team rankings were based on how many players each team has under contract for at least the next two seasons. This can include pre-arbitration players, arbitration-eligible players, veterans on long-term contracts, or prospects who have yet to reach the Majors.

Houston has fallen somewhat in each year of the rankings, which began in 2022. The Astros ranked third in 2022 and fifth in 2023.

Alvarez, who is signed through 2028, clearly meets the top standard. He’s hitting.This season, he has 311 hits, 30 home homers, and 73 RBI. He has been chosen an All-Star in each of the last three seasons and placed third in the American League MVP vote in 2022. He was named the American League Rookie of the Year for 2019.

Alex Bregman, Kyle Tucker, Framber Valdez, and Justin Verlander are noticeably absent from the list. They are not regarded core players because of their contract status. Bregman and Verlander are eligible for free agency following the season, while Tucker and Valdez have less than two years of control after this season.

Second baseman Jose Altuve led the plus-tier players, as did reliever Josh Hader, who received a five-year contract with Houston this offseason. Hunter Brown, Yainer Diaz, and Jeremy Pena are the other three plus-tier players, all young stars.

Major League players on the solid tier include pitchers Ronel Blanco and Spencer Arrighetti, as well as outfielder Chas McCormick. Prospects on the list included outfielder Jacob Melton, shortstop Brice Matthews, infielder Zach Dezenzo, and infielder Shay Whitcomb.