Below is a list of the Astros draft picks, a quick write-up on them, and their signing status. I will update this as the signings come out.
Rd 1, #28) Brice Matthews, SS, Nebraska
Matthews was seen as one of the best athletes in the Big 10. The 21-year-old had a breakout junior season slashing .359/.481/.723 with 20 HR, 20 SB for Nebraska. He has a quick swing with strong exit velocities, even for his size. Scouts note he has 20-25 HR potential with good pull power. He covers a lot of ground at shortstop and has a strong arm.
Signing Status: Signed – $2,478,200 (Slot: $2,800,700)
Rd 2, #61) Alonzo Tredwell, RHP, UCLA
Tredwell is a monster on the mound, standing at 6’8″ and 230 lbs. The right-hander has a mid-90s fastball that can tough 96. He has a slider that could be a plus pitch. Tredwell’s fastball also generates a lot of swings and misses thanks to his carry up in the zone. Baseball America said his curveball has the potential to be a plus pitch and he has plenty of room improvement.
Signing Status: Signed – $1,497,500 (Slot: $1,304,900)
Rd 3, #99) Jake Bloss, RHP, Georgetown
Bloss is a right-handed pitcher who had a 2.58 ERA with 96 K in 76.2 innings last season. The 22-year-old was working on his Master’s in finance and continued pitching since he had eligibility. He has a fastball that averages 93 and touches 97 MPH. MLB.com noted he has an overhand curve tight slider but the fastball generates a lot of swings and misses.
Signing Status: Signed – $397,500 (Slot: $678,500)
Rd 4, #131) Cam Fisher, OF, UNC Charlotte
Fisher put together a great season for UNC Asheville. The lefty hitter slashing .348/.507/.813 with 30 HR, 64 BB in 64 games this season. He offers plus power and bat speed. He gets on base but some scouts noted the strikeout concerns. Fisher is an adequate athlete and MLB.com noted he might stick or right field or possibly end up in left field.
Signing Status: Signed – $500,000 (Slot: $497,600)
Rd 5, #164) Chase Jaworsky, SS, Rock Canyon HS (CO)
Jaworsky is a smooth athlete listed at 6’1″ and 170 lbs. He is a righty thrower, lefty hitter. Scouts have noted he has a strong arm, good range at shortstop and a left handed swing that has some pop. Other information on him is limited at this time.
Signing Status: Signed – $850,000 (Slot: $360,800)
Rd 6, #194) Ethan Pecko, RHP, Towson
Pecko is a 20-year-old right-handed pitcher from Towson. He started for Towson and had a 3.21 ERA with 48 K in 42 innings. He pitched in the Northwoods League this summer and dominated with a 1.04 ERA and 36 K in 26 innings. Baseball America noted he has a low 90s sinker and a plus slider.
Signing Status: Signed – $250,000 (Slot: $280,700)
Rd 7, #224) Joey Dixon, RHP, Stanford
Dixon is a 6’2″ 204 lbs right hander pitcher from Stanford. His junior year he struck out 90 over 83.2 innings with a 4.73 ERA. Baseball America noted he has a low to mid 90s fastball and a solid curveball.
Signing Status: Signed – $218,800 (Slot: $221,300)
Rd 8, #254) Ryan Johnson, 2B, Pepperdine
Johnson stands at 6’0″ and 175 lbs. The right-handed hitter slashing .290/.416/.647 with 18 HR in 49 games. He is 22-years old and has experience all over the infield.
Signing Status: Signed – $97,500 (Slot: $186,500)
Rd 9, #284) Jeron Williams, SS, Toledo
Williams will be a fun prospect to watch. The 6’1″ shortstop hit .403 with 14 HR, 49 SB in 55 games for Toledo. He also had some good summer league performances. Plus speed and some pop.
Signing Status: Signed – $147,500 (Slot: $172,500)
Rd 10, #314) Austin Deming, INF, BYU
Deming is a 23-year-old infielder who put together a great year for BYU. In 41 games, he hit .418 with 19 HR, 68 RBI. He has played majority first and third in college.
Signing Status: Signed – $7,500 (Slot: $164,400)
Rd 11, #344) Nehomar Ochoa Jr, OF, Galena Park HS (TX)
Ochoa is a 6’4″, 210 lbs outfielder from Texas. The 17-year-old has some big time power and was phenomenal in high school hitting .602 with 11 HR his senior season. He is committed to the University of Houston.
Signing Status: Signed – $300,000 (Slot: $150,000)
Rd 12, #374) Anthony Huezo, OF, Etiwanda HS (CA)
Huezo is a young outfielder, who doesn’t turn 18 until November, but has a ton of potential. The lefty swinger has a quick bat and is seen as a plus runner with a strong arm where he should stick in center field.
Signing Status: Signed – $400,000 (Slot: $150,000)
Rd 13, #404) James Hicks, RHP, South Carolina
Hick is listed at 6’2″ and 190 lbs. The right hander has a low 90s sinker and plus slider. He had a 3.48 ERA with 56 K in 67.1 innings this season for South Carolina.
Signing Status: Signed – $150,000 (Slot: $150,000)
Rd 14, #434) Jackson Nezuh, RHP, Louisiana Lafayette
Nezuh went from Florida State to ULL where he struck out 100 in 90 innings, despite a higher ERA. He has a mid 90s fastball and a slider and changeup with good potential.
Signing Status: Signed – $150,000 (Slot: $150,000)
Rd 15, #464) Garret Guillemette, C, Texas
Guillemette transferred from USC to Texas and had a big year hitting .298 with 18 2B, 11 HR and 6o RBI. He is seen as a bat first catcher and is a good clubhouse guy and leader.
Signing Status: Signed – $150,000 (Slot: $150,000)
Rd 16, #494) Will Bush, C, Tyler JC (TX)
Bush is a well built catcher at 6’4″ and 230 lbs. He is only 19 years old but has some serious power. The left handed hitter has good bat speed and a strong arm behind the plate.
Signing Status: Signed – $150,000 (Slot: $150,000)
Rd 17, #524) Colby Langford, LHP, Murray State College
Langford is a 6’3″ left handed pitcher who led NJCAA D2 in strikeouts with 128 this season. He won’t blow you away but has great movement on his stuff.
Signing Status: Signed – $150,000 (Slot: $150,000)
Rd 18, #554) Derek True, RHP, Cal Poly
True was strictly a reliever in college and struck out 38 over 34.1 innings this season. He has a mid 90s fastball with sink and could be a good get for the Astros.
Signing Status: Signed – $100,000 (Slot: $150,000)
Rd 19, #584) Andrew Duncan, OF, A3 Academy (FL)
Duncan has a great bat with quick hands and good feel on defense. He possesses a ton of raw power and big time potential, but he has a strong commitment to Florida State.
Signing Status: Unknown (Slot: $150,000)
Rd 20, #614) Pascanel Ferreras, SS, Western Carolina
Ferreras is seen as a good defender at shortstop and has some good raw power he has yet to tap into. He hit .325 with 12 HR and a 1.010 OPS last season.
Signing Status: Signed – $150,000 (Slot: $150,000)
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