BEFORE THE BIG TIME

Some notable Astros prospects in recent years.

HUNTER PENCE

Minors highlight: Pence hit 28 homers and drove in 95 runs to help Corpus Christi win its only Texas League championship in 2006.

Aftermath: Pence was called up to the Astros early in 2007 and quickly emerged as a fan favorite. He was traded to Philadelphia in July 2011.

BEN ZOBRIST Minors highlight:

Batted .327 with a .434 on-base percentage in 83 games at AA Corpus Christi in 2006.

Aftermath: The Astros traded Zobrist to Tampa Bay in July 2006 in a deal for Aubrey Huff. Zobrist went on to become a valuable utilityman, winning World Series MVP honors for the Cubs last year.

JOSE ALTUVE

Minors highlight: He played his way into prospect status in 2011, hitting .408 at high-A Lancaster and .361 at AA Corpus Christi.

Aftermath: The Astros called Altuve up in July 2011 after dumping veterans, and he’s been a staple in Houston, winning two AL batting titles in the previous three seasons. DALLAS KEUCHEL Minors highlight: Never had eye-popping numbers, but had good control (323 strikeouts to 104 walks) in three full minor-league seasons.

Aftermath: He stuck in the majors in 2013 and won the AL Cy Young Award two seasons later. Is having another stellar season in 2017.

GEORGE SPRINGER

Minors highlight: Springer was the Texas League Player of the Year after hitting . 297 with 19 homers, 55 RBIs and 23 steals in just 73 games at Corpus Christi in 2013.

Aftermath: Springer came up to the majors in 2014 and quickly became a franchise cornerstone.

LANCE McCULLERS JR.

Minors highlight: He was 3-1 with a 0.56 ERA at Corpus Christi in 2015.

Aftermath: McCullers was called up to the Astros on May 18, 2015, to make his first big-league start. He’s been a fixture in their rotation since then.

CARLOS CORREA

Minors highlight: Between Corpus Christi and AAA Fresno in 2015, he hit .335 with 10 homers and 44 RBIs in 53 games.

Aftermath: Despite not arriving in the majors until June that year, Correa was the 2015 American League Rookie of the Year and has emerged as one of the game’s bright young stars.

ALEX BREGMAN

Minors highlight: Hit .306 with 20 homers and 61 RBIs in 80 games between Corpus Christi and Fresno in 2016.

Aftermath: Called up to the majors last July, he promptly became the Astros’ starting third baseman.

CHRIS DEVENSKI

Minors highlight: A strong season at Corpus Christi in 2015 (7-4, 3.01 ERA) got the former player to be named later in the Brett Myers trade of 2012 noticed. Aftermath: His changeup has made him a devastating bullpen weapon for the Astros the past two seasons.

JOE MUSGROVE

Minors highlight: Acquired in 10-player trade with Toronto in 2012 and went 12-1 with a 1.88 ERA in 2015 at three different levels. Aftermath: Made it to the majors in 2016, but recent struggles led to a demotion to Class AAA Fresno.