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Prospects highlight Astros-Jays deal

Catcher Perez, three pitchers acquired in 10-player trade
July 20, 2012
That trade that the Astros and the Blue Jays completed Friday morning? Yes, it includes five Major Leaguers -- reliever Francisco Cordero and outfielder Ben Francisco going to Houston, and pitchers J.A. Happ, Brandon Lyon and David Carpenter to Toronto -- but it also featured five who've never smelled the bigs.

All five prospects, including one player to be named, are going from the Jays' to the Astros' Minor League system. Here are the four we know about:

Name TOR rank HOU rank HOU team
Carlos Perez 8 15 Class A Adv. Lancaster
Notes: Perez, a free-agent signee out of his native Venezuela in 2008, was an extra in Toronto's organization, what with catchers Travis d'Arnaud and A.J. Jimenez ahead of him. He'll have more of an opportunity to take hold in Houston. At 21, the right-handed hitter has showed talent offensively, starting with his .834 OPS for short-season Auburn in 2010. After a down year at Class A Lansing in 2011, he had rebounded with the same club at the time of the trade. Through 71 games, Perez batted .275 and eclipsed his career highs in doubles (22) and home runs (5). He has the athleticism to be nimble behind home plate but also hasn't played more than 95 games in any of his first four seasons stateside. He'll be making his Class A Advanced debut.
Asher Wojciechowski 10 11 Double-A Corpus Christi
Notes: Toronto also was dealing from a position of depth when it sent three hurlers to the Lone Star State. Wojciechowski is the most mature of the three. The 23-year-old right-hander, a 2010 first-round Draft pick, has featured two above-average pitches in his fastball and slider early in his career. His changeup has improved. He compiled a 3.57 ERA in 18 starts at Class A Advanced Dunedin, one year after fashioning a 4.70 mark in the same league. He has been dominant at times but does not feature the blow-by stuff of a top-of-the-rotation member. And while there are no guarantees that The Citadel product will remain a starter, he'll be given that chance right away for the Texas League's Hooks while making his Double-A debut.
Joe Musgrove 11 7 Rookie-level Greenville
Notes: Musgrove has the highest ceiling of the four exiled Jays. As one of Toronto's 2011 first-rounders, the 19-year-old righty has made only 11 pro appearances to date. Working with a mid-90s heater and developing secondary offerings, he completed two four-inning outings without allowing an earned run last month at Rookie-level Bluefield. The sinkerballer last pitched June 24 and has been sidelined due to soreness in his throwing shoulder. He completed a side session Thursday and is expected to be back on the mound soon.
David Rollins n/a n/a Class A Lexington
Notes: A 24th-round Jays Draft pick in 2011, Rollins has largely succeeded in his first two pro seasons but doesn't profile as anything more than a potential back-end starter or middle-inning reliever. The 22-year-old left-hander had a 2.78 ERA in 18 starts for Class A Lansing.

Andrew Pentis is a contributor to MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter at AndrewMiLB.