During the 2022 draft the Astros finally had a full class, their first since the 2019 draft. While not even a year has passed, we have seen some really good returns from the draft class. Below is a quick look at how the draftees are performing.
1.28 – Drew Gilbert
Gilbert was a consensus mid first round pick but somehow he fell to the Astros. So far he is looking like a steal. In college, Gilbert was coming off a season where he hit .362 with 21 2B, 11 HR, 70 RBI in 58 games. He debuted following the draft and looked good before missing some time to injury. This year he started in High-A and has been raking to a slash line of .361/.421/.686 with 8 2B, 6 HR, 18 RBI in 21 games, earning him a promotion to Double-A. He has been as advertised and looking like the next big prospect for the Astros.
2023 Stats: 21 G, .361 BA/.421 OBP/.686 SLG, 8 2B, 3B, 6 HR, 18 RBI, 4 SB
2.64 – Jacob Melton
Melton was another top outfield prospect in the draft that the Astros were able to get in the second round. The big lefty, standing at 6’3″ and 210 lbs, had a monster junior year a 1.094 OPS with 17 HR, 21 SB in 63 games. Like Gilbert, Melton started the 2023 season in High-A. While the BA has been low, he doesn’t have a walk rate 21.8% and a low BABIP at .265. Overall he has 3 HR and 8 SB in 17 games.
2023 Stats: 17 G, .200 BA/.377 OBP/.400 SLG, 3 2B, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 8 SB
2.80 – Andrew Taylor
Andrew Taylor was seen as a pitcher with a lot of upside but also a high floor due to his command. He didn’t debut following the draft but has pitched well so far in 2023. The right-hander has a 3.93 ERA with 9 BB/28 K in 18.1 innings. Taylor was a young draftee and he is still just 21 years old.
2023 Stats: 5 G, 3.93 ERA, 18.1 IP, 17 H, 8 R, 9 BB, 28 K, 13.7 K/9
3.103 – Michael Knorr
Knorr was drafted out of Coastal Carolina and came to the Astros with some really good stuff. The hard-throwing righty started the year in Fayetteville and had a 2.60 ERA with 7 BB/24 K in 17.1 innings. He has since been promoted to High-A where he has made one appearance.
2023 Stats: 5 G, 3.92 ERA, 20.2 IP, 18 H, 9 ER, 10 BB, 28 K, 12.2 K/9
4.133 – Trey Dombroski
Dombroski has some dominant numbers are Monmouth thanks to some really good command and pitchability. The 6’5″ lefty has carried those dominant numbers to professional baseball as he leads the Astros system with 33 K in 21 innings so far this season. He also has a 3.43 ERA.
2023 Stats: 5 G, 3.43 ERA, 21.0 IP, 17 H, 8 ER, 9 BB, 33 K, 14.1 K/9
5.163 – Nolan DeVos
DeVos made huge strides with his stuff in college and has been dominant thus far during his professional career. In 34 innings he has struck out 50 including 28 K in 19.2 innings so far in 2023. The right-hander has only allowed 11 hits in those 19.2 innings this season.
2023 Stats: 5 G, 2.29 ERA, 19.2 IP, 11 H, 5 ER, 13 BB, 28 K, 12.8 K/9
6.193 – Collin Price
Price was selected out of Mercer after putting together a great senior year. So far this season he hasn’t really gotten the power going, but he has 15 walks in 20 games with a .364 OBP. If the power shows up, this pick could be a steal for the Astros.
2023 Stats: 20 G, .200 BA/.364 OBP/.317 SLG, 7 2B, 8 RBI
7.223 – A.J. Blubaugh
Blubaugh only started 7 games in college but the Astros took a flier on him and it appears he has the ability to miss bats. The right-hander has struck out 22 in 19 innings this year and while he has a 7.58 ERA, he pitched in a hitter’s paradise at McCormick Field.
2023 Stats: 5 G, 7.58 ERA, 19.0 IP, 26 H, 16 ER, 8 BB, 22 K, 10.4 K/9
8.253 – Tyler Guilfoil
Guilfoil was a dominant reliever in college (1.59 ERA his junior season) and the Astros have employed him in the piggy back system in the minors. Through 37 innings (2022-2023), he has allowed just 18 hits and has 55 K including 24 K in 19.2 innings so far this season.
2023 Stats: 5 G, 1.83 ERA, 19.2 IP, 13 H, 4 ER, 8 BB, 24 K, 11.0 K/9
9.283 – Brett Gillis
Gillis dominated at Portland before getting drafted. He just made his season debut striking out 3 over 2 scoreless innings. Including last season, he has 13 K in 7.1 professional innings.
2023 Stats: 1 G, 0.00 ERA, 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
10.313 – Zach Cole
Astros could have a steal in Zach Cole. The left-handed hitter has a ton of potential and has already showed that this season. While he has seen some ups and down, his highs are really high. So far this season he has 6 2B, 5 HR, 21 RBI and 10 SB in 24 games in Single-A.
2023 Stats: 24 G, .261 BA/.367 OBP/.489 SLG, 6 2B, 5 HR, 21 RBI, 10 SB
11.343 – Ryan Clifford
Clifford was a “bonus baby” sliding to the 11th round because of signability concerns out of high school. The Astros signed him for over $1.2 million noting his advanced left-handed bat. He has shown the advanced bat this year at just 19 years old. The lefty is slashing .337/.488/.457 with 5 2B, 2 HR, 15 RBI in 25 games. He was just promoted to High-A.
2023 Stats: 25 G, .337 BA/.488 OBP/.457 SLG, 5 2B, 2 HR, 15 RBI, 3 SB
12.373 – Zach Dezenzo
Dezenzo appeared to be a step in the 12th round given his high exit velocities in college and the MLB draft league. So far the bat has been great in professional baseball. The 22-year-old is slashing .349/.444/.576 with 7 2B, 3B, 2 HR in 19 games. Much needed infield depth in the system.
2023 Stats: 19 G, .349 BA/.444 OBP/.576 SLG, 7 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 12 RBI, 2 SB
Overall, while it’s early, the 2022 draft class is shaping up to be a good one for the Astros system. High level outfield talent with arms that can really rack up the strikeouts. Keep on eye on these guys.
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