MLB Draft: Houston Astros Day Two Roundup
By Yoni Pollak
The Houston Astros draft strategy this year was similar to that of 2012: try to sign their early first rounder for under slot and be able to draft premiere talent later on with their savings.
That seems to have worked again for the Astros this year as they drafted Alex Bregman and Kyle Tucker with their 2nd and 5th overall picks and hope to use those savings to sign their 37th overall pick, Daz Cameron, a top-ten talent who fell to #37 due to his high contract wishes.
Because the Astros are likely to use most of their $17,289,200 on their top three picks, they had to save money in rounds 3-10. We saw the Astros take four college seniors, picks that usually save teams money. They may also be able to save some money on some of the college juniors they selected.
Here’s your Astros day two draft picks with some notes:
3rd round – RHP Riley Ferrell (TCU) (Jr)
Ferrell has the potential to be the in the Astros bullpen as early as next season. He already has a plus fastball and slider and an arm slot that makes it tough for right handers to see.
4th round – C Anthony Hermelyn (OU) (Jr)
Hermelyn has that classic track record the Astros like. The Astros lacked depth at catcher and made sure to change that yesterday.
5th round – RHP Trent Thornton (UNC) (Jr)
Unclear if he’ll be a starter or a reliever but he’s got a good fastball and curveball.
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6th round – OF Nestor Muriel (Peurto Rico)
Muriel isn’t even 17 yet and he’s probably going to be the youngest player taken in the draft. Tons of upside but it’ll take some time.
7th round – LHP Michael Freeman (Oklahoma State) (Sr)
Here the Astros grab maybe the oldest player that will be taken in the draft. Freeman is likely to be used as a lefty reliever, and like Ferrell, could see Houston within a season or two.
8th round – C Garrett Stubbs (USC) (Sr)
Astros went for more depth at catcher and he was one of the best defensive catchers in the game last season.
9th round – LHP Zac Person (LSU) (Sr)
Nice track record of pitching well at a high level. Likely reliever.
10th round – RHP Scott Weathersby (Ole Miss) (Sr)
Should save some money here. Solid pitcher with a good cutter.
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Other Notes: Jacob Nix and Mac Marshall, two players in the “Brady Aiken scandal”, were day two selections. Nix at #86 to the San Diego Padres and Marshall at #124 to the San Francisco Giants.
Previous Astros picks:
#2 SS Alex Bregman (click here)
#5 OF Kyle Tucker (click here)
#37 OF Daz Cameron (click here)
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