If being on the cover of Sports Illustrated being declared World Series Champs in 2017 didn’t convince you, Monday night might have finally convinced even the most cynical critic that the Houston Astros just may have a stranglehold on the future of baseball.
After holding the first overall pick in three consecutive drafts, the Astros have quickly turned their organization around to the point where they are not only one of the better teams in the game right now, they are set up to be so for the foreseeable future.
Astros Continue To Build A Bright Future Through Draft
With the second overall pick, the Astros selected Alex Bregman from LSU, a player seen as one of the best college players in the draft, one who has the potential to stick at shortstop.
“He’s a baseball player, obviously can play second, and I’m sure he could play third…” LSU coach Paul Mainieri raved about his starting shortstop. “You put this kid anywhere on the field and he’s going to play that position well. One of those guys born to play baseball.”
Three picks later, they snagged Kyle Tucker – brother of current player Preston – seen as one of the best high school hitters in the draft. Astros’ scout John Martin had high praise for the younger Tucker, stating that “He’s a five tool player across the board, he’s going to hit and hit for power.”
Not nearly finished, they then added Daz Cameron – son of former big leaguer Mike Cameron – in the competitive balance round with a pick they acquired in the Jared Cosart trade, which also netted them top ten organizational prospect Colin Moran. Cameron was also seen as a top ten, maybe even top five, talent, but signability concerns arose and forced the Georgia outfielder to slip.
“He’s a great defender out in centerfield, he can run, he can hit, he’s got power, he can throw. He’s what we look for, a very well rounded high school player.” Astros’ scouting director Mike Elias said of Cameron.
So in the span of one night, Houston was able to add three players that were ranked in the top ten by MLB.com.
All three have the talent to make a difference for any organization. On the same night that former number one overall pick Carlos Correa made his major league debut (1-4, RBI), the Astros were able to cement their present and future.
And the future is still so bright, much so than what their current first-place standing can indicate. Even without the three new additions to the team’s farm system, the Astros still have several impactful prospects yet to make their major league debut.
2013 first overall pick, Mark Appel, is still awaiting a chance to be that the front-of-the-rotation horse everyone knows he can be. Along with Appel and Correra, Houston had three other prospects ranked in MLB.com’s top 100 list, and none of them have made it to the majors yet.
Throw them in with the likes of Jose Altuve and George Springer, among others, and you can see why so many are so high on the Astros.
After Monday night, they are giving everyone fewer and fewer reasons not to jump on the bandwagon.
Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images
