The Houston Astros had a rough start to the 2024 season but managed to close the gap to just one game behind the AL West lead by the All-Star break. With key players aging or approaching free agency, the team needs to focus on rebuilding their farm system. This year’s draft saw them make a significant first-round pick, although CBS Sports rated their overall draft performance a C.
One reason for this average grade is that Houston only had one pick in the top 100. They chose Sam Houston State catcher Walker Janek at 28. Janek, a bat-first catcher, was ranked the top catcher in the draft by MLB Pipeline. In his breakout final college season, he hit 17 home runs, drove in 58 runs, and had a 1.185 OPS. He also hit five triples, a notable feat for a catcher, and won Conference USA’s Defensive Player of the Year award, though his defense still needs some work apart from his strong arm.
Houston’s next pick was at 101, where they selected UC San Diego pitcher Ryan Forcucci. Forcucci features a four-pitch mix, with a fastball in the mid-90s and a bat-missing slider as his best offspeed pitch. His curveball is less frequently used, and his changeup is average. Durability is a concern for Forcucci, as he has never pitched more than 53.2 innings in a season.
Beyond these picks, Houston only secured two other players ranked in MLB Pipeline’s top 250. They picked right-handed pitcher Cole Hertzler from Liberty University in the fifth round. Hertzler throws in the low-90s, with a strong changeup and a promising curveball. Their final top 250 pick was high school outfielder Ky McGary from Arizona. However, McGary, committed to Arizona State, is unlikely to sign with Houston.
Houston’s farm system is considered one of the weakest in baseball, making rebuilding a priority. They made a promising start by drafting Janek, but a lack of top 100 picks limited their draft’s overall potential.
