The 2017 MLB Draft will begin Monday, June 12 and will conclude Wednesday, June 14. The following tweet contains slot values and bonus pools for each team. These figures have been sent out to agents; the teams have not received them yet. The Astros will have $6,755,100 to spend in the first ten rounds. Their first three picks are 15, 53, and 91. The last time the Astros picked 15th in the MLB draft was 1982. They selected Steve Swain, an outfielder from Grossmont HS in El Cajon, California (Joe Musgrove's alma mater). Swain topped out at Class A. In 1974, the Astros also selected a high school outfielder from California with the 15th pick: Kevin Drake from Cabrillo High in Lompoc. Drake had a 15-game stint in Triple-A in his draft year, but most of his time as a pro was spent at Double-A. Slot Values for the First 10 Rounds Round 1, Pick 15. $3,417,000 Round 2, Pick 53. $1,205,100 Round 3, Pick 91. $569,300 Round 4, Pick 121: $416,500 Round 5, Pick 151: $311,000 Round 6, Pick 181: $237,700 Round 7, Pick 211: $186,000 Round 8, Pick 241: $150,600 Round 9, Pick 271: $134,800 Round 10, Pick 301: $127,100 Rankings Dump Baseball America Top 100 High School Prospects Perfect Game Top 250 Perfect Game Top 100 College Prospects Perfect Game Top 100 JUCO Prospects Perfect Game High School Class of 2017 Rankings All of the Perfect Game links are behind a paywall.
With the status of the big league team and the wave of teenage international signees that should be coming stateside this year and next, I expect Houston to focus heavily on college draftees in the 2017 draft, specifically position players. Not that Houston will draft based on positional need, but 1B, 2B, 3B, and LHP appear to be the organizational weaknesses in the lower levels, so hopefully there will be at least one player at each of those positions taken in the top 5-6 rounds.
The high school class of 2014 is now eligible to be drafted as college juniors; the Astros had five unsigned players from the 2014 draft. However, four of them were drafted in 2015. You may have heard of the first three guys. Brady Aiken (1) was drafted by the Indians in the first round. Jacob Nix (5) was drafted by the Padres in the third round. Mac Marshall (21) was drafted by the Giants in the fourth round. Michael Foster (38), an unsigned college junior from Northeastern, was drafted by the Cubs in the 16th round. Brad Antchak (39) is the only player still in school; he is currently a senior at Louisiana-Lafayette. Here are his 2016 stats: 45 games (34 starts), .246/.343/.336, .679 OPS, HR, 12 RBI, 22 R, 14 BB (4 HBP), 19 K, 5 SB (2 CS)
From the Co-ards we get picks: 56 - $1,122,400 slot 75 - $730,800 Total for the first 10 rounds sits at $8,608,300 (11th highest)
5 of the top 100 picks is awesome. Gotta love that given Luhnow's track record with extra picks. Can load up on 6-7 guys in the 30-120 range and play the odds, or can go top heavy get two top 20 guys (assuming a top 20 guy slips tic HOustons 2nd pick) and then do senior signs in rounds 3-10.
I was expecting one of 1.5 million dollars, or a 2nd or 3rd round pick as compensation. It was a steep price but for the Cardinals. Astros were rewarded fairly. Now let's see what what Luhnow yields with the additional money from the signing slot and picks.
Another change that is definitely worth noting (that's been reflected in the bonus pools post linked in the tweet in the OP): 11th-40th round picks can now sign for $125K before their bonus counts against the pool. Since I can't edit the OP anymore, here's a BA article on how the new CBA affects the draft.
UT junior Morgan Cooper is somebody to watch. If his arm is right (had Tommy John in '15) he's a lockdown closer if not a starter. Great stuff. Luken Baker at TCU is a freaking beast, only a soph but he's fun to watch. I wish he was pitching this year too, I've always liked the Kieschnick/Reed/Van Benschoten 2-way players. Didn't know where else to post this, a college baseball thread would probably be the most un-viewed, un-replied thing in the history of the bbs.
If you love 2 way players, Brendan McKay from Louisville is a special talent. Can hit & pitch! 2017 MLB DraftDraft eligible
I would certainly follow and occasionally post in one if it was in this forum. I'm pretty much limited to Astros, Football and Hangout these days. Start one. And let's catch a game in San Marcos this year.
Louisville product (Ballard HS) Jordon Adell is going to be a steal. No chance he lasts until our pick, but that dude can ball. My mom and some other family went to Ballard so I hope he does well. Projected top 5 pick.
Dude has awesome physical attributes. His power is insane. I hope Astros go big with the first 2 picks. Specially given the extra money picks from the Cardinals. I love Trevor Rogers, HS lefty.
This Houston Shriners MMP Tourney has been fun to watch (except for the stupid camera angle last night due to the work in CF). Between TCU and LSU there might be 15+ draftees. Both teams, esp TCU, have ridiculously deep lineups. Luken Baker hit on with one arm on an outside curve off the end of his bat into the Crawfords (ping!). LSU's Alex Lange pitched like **** Friday night, couldn't find the zone at all, but he'll deservedly be a first rounder. Stros former 17th rd draftee Brian Howard did finally settle down after some tough luck (bloops) in the first. Baylor women's BB coach Mulkey's son is the Sr. starting SS for LSU. TCU catcher Skoug is a player. Rafael Landestoy's kid was a starter for TCU last year but is now their utility guy.
