The MLB Draft is still a few months away, but this draft will be crucial to the Astros adding another nice crop of talent to the system. While the MLB draft is probably the hardest draft to try and predict, here is a look at a potential four round mock draft for the Astros.
Round 1, #17) Rocco Maniscalco, SS, Oxford HS (AL)
Last year in the first round, the Astros went with a high school shortstop in Xavier Neyens. This year I have them going the same route with Maniscalco. Maniscalco is a 6’2″ shortstop who reclassified into the 2026 Draft and will only be 17 years old on draft night. Maniscalco is a switch hitter who possesses solid power, with the chance to add more. The son of a former minor league player, Maniscalco has high baseball IQ and an advanced approach at the plates. Scouts note that he is an above average defender at shortstop and should have no problem staying there in pro ball.
Another Option: Eric Becker, SS, Virginia
Round 1, #28) Jarren Advincula, 2B, Georgia Tech
This pick would be a little unconventional for the Astros. They seem to target premium position prospects with more power above hit, but Advincula is the opposite. Not that he doesn’t have power, but his hit tool is the best tool his has in his bag right now. The 21-year-old is hitting .409 at Georgia Tech this year. In 33 games he has 6 doubles and 5 home runs, and an impressive 18 walks to 12 strikeouts. He has played in some wood bat leagues in the summer and fared well hitting .380 with just 19 strikeouts in 56 games, though only one home run. He is a solid defender at second base and a good runner too.
Another Option: Landon Thome, SS, Nazareth Academy (IL)
Round 2, #57) Andrew Williamson, OF, Central Florida
For the Astros second round pick, I have them going back to another college bat. Williamson has been phenomenal for Central Florida this year hitting .336 with 9 home runs over 29 games. Williamson boasts above average power and bat speed, while also being a solid defender in the outfield. He impressed in the wood bat leagues hitting .400 with 12 home runs in 44 games between the Cal Ripken League and the Cape Cod League. Scouts note that he needs to improve his recognition of off-speed pitches a bit, but he has the upside to be a big-time talent.
Another Option: Brady Ballinger, 1B, Kansas
Round 3, #93) Wes Mendes, LHP, Florida State
Mendes is a well-built left-hander at 6’1″ and 200 lbs. The 21-year-old started his college career at Mississippi but transferred to Florida State where he has seen an uptick in his numbers. After a down sophomore year, the left-hander has had a breakout junior season posting a 2.29 ERA with 16 walks to 74 strikeouts in 51 innings. Mendes has a low to mid 90s but also offers a wipeout changeup and a solid slider. The Astros don’t have much in the system from the left side, and Mendes would immediately be the best left-handed pitching prospect in the system.
Another Option: Jack Radel, RHP, Notre Dame
Round 4, #121) Daniel Jackson, C, Georgia
In the 4th round, the Astros go after another college bat, this time getting a catching prospect. Jackson, who transferred to Georgia after a great Freshman season at Butler, has experienced a true breakout 2026. The 21-year-old is hitting .408 with 16 home runs in 34 games. He is a good athlete behind the plate, and can also provide some speed on the bases, evident by his 17 stolen bases in 2026. Scouts aren’t sure if he still stick at catcher or move to the outfield, but the bat should be able to carry him at either position.
Another Option: Kollin Ritchie, OF, Oklahoma State
Round 4, #133) Nathaniel Davis, OF, Bishop Moore Catholic HS (FL)
With the compensation pick for Framber Valdez signing with Detroit, the Astros select a tooled up high school outfielder from Florida. The 18-year-old has a short and quick left-handed swing, and can absolutely fly both on the bases and in the outfield. While he doesn’t have much power, he has good bat to balls skills and the ability to stick in center field. He is committed to LSU.
Another Option: Jaxon Willits, SS, Oklahoma
CONCLUSION:
The Astros will have an amount of draft capital we haven’t seen in a long time. This gives them the option to be aggressive with a few high school players early in the draft while still adding some college bats too. The MLB draft is always hard to predict, but one thing we know for sure is the Astros will add a lot of talent come July.
Be sure to subscribe to receive weekly updates on the Astros minor league system. Also be sure to follow on X, @Astros.
