The Astros made eight picks on the second day of the draft. Below is a quick run down on the players.
DAY 1 PICKS:
Rd 3, #101) Ryan Forcucci, RHP, UC San Diego
Forcucci is a right-handed pitcher listed at 6’3″ and 205 lbs. The 21-year-old only made five starts in 2024, but was dominant posting a 2.16 ERA with 37 K in 25 innings. He has a mid 90s fastball that tops at 97 and a wipeout slider in the 80s. The only question is durability, but when he is on the field he has pitched well. He was ranked #86 by MLB and was a potential first rounder coming into the season.
Rd 4, #131) Parker Smith, RHP, Rice
Smith, a native Houstonian, was one of the big time starters for Rice over the last two years. MLB notes he is 91-94 but can touch 96 and has a potential plus chanegup with a developing slider. He struck out 78 over 89.1 innings for Rice in 2024.
Rd 5, #163) Cole Hertzler, RHP, Liberty
A big kid listed at 6’4″ and 235 lbs. He can tough 96 and offers a four pitch mix. This year he struck out 94 in 84.1 innings for Liberty as their Friday night starter. He was a reliever in 2023, and there is still some upside there for him to grow into.
Rd 6, #193) Caden Powell, SS, Seminole State
Powell played for Oklahoma before transferring to Seminole State. There he won NJCAA player of the year after hitting .502 with 32 homers and 16 stolen bases. He is a good athlete and has a commitment to Oklahoma State but I think he will sign.
Rd 7, #223) Joseph Sullivan, OF, South Alabama
While Sullivan is 22-year-old, he has a ton of upside. He is a great athlete with plus speed and the chance to stick in center field. He has some gap power and a chance to develop more. His numbers were down a bit this year with a hamate injury but should be good next year.
Rd 8, #253) Dylan Howard, RHP, Radford
Howard is a nice upside pick from Radford. The 21-year-old right-hander had a 4.78 ERA in 2024, but also had 19 BB/76 K in 69.2 innings. Good command and reportedly up to 96 MPH in fall ball, according to @EephusTosser.
Rd 9, #283) Ryan Smith, RHP, Illinois-Chicago
Smith is a 21-year-old who pitched primarily in relief for Illinois-Chicago. In 35 innings for the Flames he struck out 42 batters. He is listed at 6’2″ and 195 lbs. Reports have his fastball up yo 98 MPH in relief.
Rd 10, #313) Ramsey David, RHP, Southeastern University
David is a 23-year-old right handed pitching prospect. In 2024 he posted a 2.79 ERA with 87 K in 61.1 innings for Southeastern. He also pitched in the Cape Cod League in 2024 striking out 14 in 12 innings. Up to 94 with the fastball and throws a lot of strikes.
The Astros will make 10 more picks in rounds 11-20 on Tuesday.
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