Astros Round Table: Top 5 Draft Selections
Recent Astros history hasn’t been kind to the average Astros fan. The bad stretch of baseball the fans endured during the 100+ loss seasons of 2011-13 have given reason for many fans to look forward to the MLB Draft, as dreams develop for not just players, but fans as well in hopes that these talented players can resurrect their teams in just a few years time. What put the Astros in supreme luxury was not the three consecutive #1 overall picks received, but rather Jeff Luhnow and the Front Office’s elite ability to draft impact players for the Minor League system after the 1st Round. Is is here where the Minor League system has prospered since the beginning of the Crane-Luhnow Era.
Luhnow and company are in another luxurious position for this year’s draft, as the recent settlement of the Cardinals hacking scandal has gifted the Houston Astros with two selections from the Cardinals: picks number 56 and 75 overall, giving the Astros four total picks on the first day. Last week the writers of Astros Future did a round table mock draft and put in our selections for the Astros’ 1st Round pick. This week, the writers made their selections for the next four picks in which the Astros are on the clock.
Jimmy’s Picks
Rd 1, #15) Shane Baz, RHP, Concordia Lutheran HS
The Astros get another talented high school arm to add to the system. Tempted to go college bat but Baz is good value, especially at #15. With a cannon for an arm, Baz looks like a great pitcher to pair up with 2016 first-rounder Forrest Whitley, as both will light up the radar gun and dominant the opposition.
Rd 2, #53) Garrett Mitchell, OF, Orange Lutheran HS
Would love this pick, but good chance he’s gone before this pick.
Rd 2, #56) Gavin Sheets, 1B, Wake Forest
Sheets had a strong year at Wake Forest. Broke out with 19 HRs and is a tough strikeout. Good eye at the plate, and doesn’t miss many RBI chances.
CB, #75) Corbin Martin, RHP, Texas A&M
Martin has put together a solid campaign at A&M, logging important innings as a spot starter. As he gained more starts, he proved his worth and value. His repertoire gives him great potential.
Rd 3, #91) Zac Lowther, LHP, Xavier
Lowther has flown under the radar, but he’s a lefty that strikes out many hitters and keeps runners off the bases. He’s a solid pick in the 3rd Round.
RGBIII’s Picks
Rd 1, #15) Jake Burger, 1B, Missouri State
Burger could be a bat that could sign for under slot value to help sign later picks. Burger has power and can also rack up hits leading to a high batting average, all while straying away from strikeouts. Burger might not play for a big school, but he’s up there with the best NCAA has to offer.
Rd 2, #53) Seth Romero, LHP, Unaffiliated
His personality issues are a massive red flag, but very good stuff. With all of these picks the Astros can afford to be risky.
Rd 2, #56) Jacob Heatherly, LHP, Cullman HS
Taking a college bat and a college pitcher, the Astros can go for a possible signability guy. Could have been a first round pick if not for a strong commitment to Alabama.
CB, #75) Greg Deichmann, OF, LSU.
One of LSU’s power bats, he’s been a big reason why LSU is as good as usual. If he’s still around by pick 75, look for Houston to snatch him up.
Rd 3, #91) Morgan Cooper, RHP, Texas
Injury issues but has a high floor. A reliable arm for Texas has to show he can be consistent with his velocity and overall stuff.
Johnny’s Picks
Rd 1, #15) Brent Rooker, 1B, Mississippi State
Rooker’s season has been one for the ages, as he leads the SEC in just about any hitting category that can be put on paper. Rooker looks like a Jeff Luhnow type pick, as Luhnow has been known to favor SEC hitters early in the draft with hitters like Alex Bregman (LSU), AJ Reed (Kentucky), Tony Kemp (Vanderbilt), and Preston Tucker (Florida) having all hailed from the southeastern conference.
Rd 2, #53) Clarke Schmidt, RHP, South Carolina
Schmidt tore his UCL and underwent Tommy John Surgery which potentially ended his South Carolina career. The injury could make him available at pick 53, and is worth the risk should he still be on the board.
Rd 2, #56) Daniel Tillo, LHP, Iowa Western CC
A big, hard throwing pitcher with a good arsenal, Tillo offers what many seek for in a left hander. His development in the minors as he perfects his craft could make him a steal.
CB, #75) Evan Skoug, C, TCU
Luhnow always seems to find a spot for a catcher early on in the draft. Needs to hit for average more consistently, but he’s got power, and a lot of it.
Rd3, #91) Luis Gonzalez, OF, New Mexico
Gonzalez hits for a high average and is a tough out swinging. One of the more underrated players of the draft, and definitely a player on the draft board for Houston in Round 3.
Wayne’s Picks
Rd 1, #15) Brent Rooker, 1B, Mississippi State
Rooker has been the best player in College Baseball this season, putting up absurd numbers day in and day out for the Bulldogs. The only knock on him at the moment is his age, as being 22 at this stage makes him older than most players available in the draft. He’s polished and could be a fast riser, but he looks the part of a major league hitter.
Rd 2, #53) Drew Ellis, 3B/OF, Louisville
A little early to take here but could sign under slot to take a HS arm later. Very good production and multi-positional.
Rd 2, #56) Kevin Merrell, SS, South Florida
A left handed hitting machine, with the speed to go with it. Many believe his 10.6 100 meter dash speed would make a move to the OF for Merrell the right move. Hasn’t had a lot of power, but is just starting to discover some pop in his bat.
CB, #75) Greg Deichmann, OF, LSU
A very good SEC bat makes it to Houston’s competitive balance pick before the 3rd Round? Luhnow has been known to favor SEC hitters so this pick makes sense on a number of levels.
Rd 3, #91) Blaine Knight, RHP, Arkansas
Only a sophomore, but because of age is eligible for the MLB Draft. The ace of Arkansas’ rotation has a mid-90s fastball, and could get better in professional baseball as he develops.
Grayson’s Picks
Rd 1, #15) David Peterson, LHP, Oregon
Astros went prep arm last year and might go with someone more advanced this year. Peterson has elite command. Reminds me a lot of former second round pick Thomas Eshelman, but he’s left handed.
Rd 2, #53) Alex Scherff, RHP, Prestonwood Christian HS
Astros went college arm in round one, and now they go local prep in round two. Scherff can run it up in the high 90s and has a big frame.
Rd 2, #56) Corbin Martin, RHP, Texas A&M
Martin had a rough 2016 but has bounced back in a major way for the Aggies in 2017. He can run his fastball into the high 90s, and has dominant stuff that shows his potential as a rotation arm, but may find his calling in the bullpen
CB, #75) Evan Skoug, C, TCU
Astros take their first position player at 75 in TCU catcher Evan Skoug. Skoug can really hit, has great makeup, and is yet another attempt to fill the weakest position in the Astros pipeline.
Rd 3, #91) Greg Deichmann, OF, LSU
A left handed swinging, power-hitting OF in Deichmann would make Luhnow a happy man. He is one of the older players in the draft as he just turned 22, but has produced enough in the SEC for that to be a non-factor.
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**Photo Credit: Paul Nisely/Getty Images**
