Draft Reviews: Houston Astros

2008 Draft Slot: 10th overall
Top Pick: Jason Castro, C, Stanford University
Best Pick: Jason Castro
Keep an Eye On: Ross Seaton, RHP, Houston high school (Third round)
Notes: The Astros organization made some interesting decisions during the 2008 draft. The club nabbed Ross Seaton in the supplemental third round after the talented Texan dropped out of first-round consideration due to signability concerns. The club used its supplemental first round pick on South Carolina prep pitcher Jordan Lyles, whom most clubs did not consider a top pick. Lyles, though, has pitched extremely well so far, which has made Houston’s scouts look incredibly wise. Both Lyles and Seaton are playing in low-A ball, with the former out-performing the latter. Jason Castro is having a solid offensive season in high-A ball and could potentially see double-A by the end of the year.

2007 Draft Slot: Third round (111th overall)
Top Pick: Derek Dietrich, 3B, Cleveland high school (Did not sign)
Best Pick: Collin DeLome, OF, Lamar University (Fifth round)
Worst Pick: David Dinelli, RHP, California junior college (6th round)
Notes: There is no sugar-coating the fact that this was an ugly draft. The Astros organization did not have a pick before the third round and then it failed to sign its third- and fourth-round selections. The sixth-round pick posted an ERA above 7.00 in two rookie seasons, and the seventh-round pick is hitting .134 in low-A ball in 2009. Collin DeLome is showing some promising power at double-A this season, but his average is modest and he’s walking just 3.3% of the time. There is also some hope for RHP Kyle Greenwalt (20th round).

2006 Draft Slot: 23rd overall
Top Pick: Max Sapp, C, Florida high school
Best Pick: Bud Norris, RHP, University of Cal Poly (6th round)
Worst Pick: Nick Moresi, OF, Fresno State University (3rd round)
Notes: Max Sapp suffered a severe case of viral meningitis this past off-season. He’ll miss the entire 2009 season, but that is hardly important at this point. He’s also still young. RHP Sergio Perez (2nd round) missed most of the 2008 after breaking his hand and injuring his groin. He’s currently working his way back into baseball shape in double-A. Third baseman Chris Johnson (4th round) has a chance to contribute at the Major League level, although probably not as an everyday player.

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2009 Draft Slot: 21st overall
Draft Preference (2006-08): High school or prep players
MLB Club Need: Third base, Starting pitching, Relief pitching
Organizational Need: Right field, Shortstop, Second base, First base, Pitching
Organizational Strength: Catcher, Center field
Notes: The Astros organization has an extra pick in the supplemental third round (the only club with such a pick) after the team failed to sign its 2008 third-round selection Chase Davidson. The draft has definitely not been a strength of the team’s for quite some time. In fact, a few of the recent drafts have been almost laughable. The club did, though, take some interesting names last year so perhaps things are starting to improve. The club desperately needs some minor-league depth.