Houston Astros

Draft History
2025
Spencer Arrighetti - protection
29 - Pedro Pages
47 - Blaze Alexander
85 - Albert Suarez
107 - Jared Koenig

2024
Corey Julks - protection
89 - Mike Baumann
119 - Bailey Falter

2023
Jeremy Pena - protection
22 - Felix Bautista
30 - Kyle Stowers
52 - Rafael Montero
112 - Franchy Cordero
142 - Darin Ruf

2022
Chas McCormick - protection
46 - Dom Nunez
104 - Ronald Torreyes
136 - Billy McKinney

2021
Cristian Javier - protection
19 - Drew Kremer
49 - Daniel Castano
139 - Phil Maton
169 - Tyler Zuber

2020
Yordano Alvarez - protection
114 - Taylor Clarke
125 - Bubba Starling
126 - Trevor Gott
144 - Dario Agrazal

2019
Kyle Tucker - protection
117 - Jose Rondon
122 - Yerfy Ramirez
130 - Johnny Field
139 - Corey Oswalt
146 - Cam Gallagher
147 - David Freitas

2018
Francis Martes - protection
11 - Brent Suter
71 - Brad Peacock
88 - Kevan Smith

101 - Gabriel Ynoa

2017
Alex Bergman - protection
22 - Tony Wolters
82 - Chase d'Arnaud
86 - Manny Pina
134 - Tyler Motter
142 - Ryan Pressly

2016
Carlos Correa - protection
40 - Mike Pelfrey
65 - Brett Wallace
70 - Keone Kela

2015
George Springer - protection
1 - Jorge Soler
27 - Carlos Sanchez
91 - Caleb Joseph
100 - Jake Petricka

111 - Tomas Telis
121 - Zoilo Almonte

2014
Brett Oberholtzer - protection
9 - Matt Davidson
57 - Josh Fields
60 - Johnny Hellweg
75 - Abraham Almonte

129 - Hector Rondon

2013
Lucas Harrell - protection
60 - Mike Baxter
85 - Jordan Danks
92 - Luis Valbuena

93 - Nate Jones
100 - Xavier Avery
113 - Ryan Flaherty
130 - Adam Ottavino

2012
Jordan Lyles - protection
1 - Dustin Ackley
31 - Addison Reed

2011
Jason Castro - protection
42 - Scott Cousins
96 - Rodrigo Lopez
125 - Brian Bogusevic
132 - Dennys Reyes

2010

Bud Norris - protection
14 - Nolan Reimold
74 - Dan Runzler
127 - Ryan Langerhans
129 - Nick Green
134 - Edgar Gonzalez

2009

Wesley Wright - protection
43 - Brian Buscher
73 - Fernando Tatis
92 - Bobby Pernell
134 - Nick Masset

2008
Hunter Pence - protection
24 - Ian Stewart
46 - Curtis Thigpen
84 - Troy Patton
107 - Lance Broadway
144 - Mike Hampton

2007
Jason Hirsh - protection
44 - Matt Albers
75 - Brent Clevlen
118 - Hector Gimenez
126 - Dave Borkowski

129 - Tommy Murphy

2006
Wandy Rodriguez - protection
60 - Damian Jackson
82 - Robert Andino
89 - Todd Coffey
126 - Russ Springer
145 - Ty Wiggington

2005
Mike Lamb - protection
78 - Willie Tavavez
99 - Fernando Cabrera

2004
Dan Miceli - protection
73 - D.J. Carrasco
91 - Chris Bootcheck
116 - Brooks Kieschnick

2003
Jason Lane - protection
85 - Darren Holmes
103 - Brad Lidge
110 - Mike DeFelice
138 - Brandon Puffer

2002
Roy Oswalt - protection
22 - Adam Everett
45 - Bret Prinz
61 - Wil Cordero
69 - Larry Bigbie
80 - Lyle Overbay
105 - Ben Weber

2001
21 - Chris Truby
65 - Hipolito Pichardo
130 - Kevin Nicholson

2025 Houston Astros

Overview: Things don’t appear to be sippin’ too sweet at Minute Maid Park this season. Management may find themselves spiking their OJ with something a bit more medicinal this year as the Astros take a step back and re-evaluate. The Astros never stay out of the fray for too long, so look for them to focus on drafting a few younger guys. They also possess a few pieces that could be of help to other teams making a run, so it’s likely they will rebuild a bit that way too. However they choose to go about it, I don’t expect to see them in rebuild mode for too long.

Starting Pitching: Ronel Blanco makes a nice #1 starter, but after that there’s a dip in quality. Dean Kremer, Kyle Gibson, and protection pick Spencer Arighetti (“Spaghetti” feels like the only logical nickname here) round out the top four. These three aren’t bad, but they aren’t outstanding either, leaving me nonplussed about the rotation in general. Christian Javier can chip in some starts in the 5-hole (please hold the hockey jokes), but he will need some help to shore everything up. Which works, because the ‘Stros could use a young arm to add to the arsenal and keep future dreams in good health. (C+)

Relief Pitching: While this group lacks a dominant late-inning presence, it remains well-staffed with some capable arms. Will Vest, offseason acquisition Bryan Abreu, Brent Suter (a rogue grandchild who said the heck with hockey?), Ryan Pressly, and Caleb Ferguson make a nice compliment of setup/middle relievers. Having a closer might nudge this group toward a better overall rating, but I doubt management will seek to add one. It’s an off-year in Houston and fans will just have to adapt. Mike Baumann appears slated for mop-up work. Regardless of quality, a couple of arms are still needed to cover the remaining innings. (B)

Catchers: Cal Raleigh is as durable as they come behind the plate. He is a switch-hitter with 40+ homer potential, is resistant to injury and even brings a little speed to the table. He is defensively solid as well. Can’t really ask for much more than that, except maybe a bit better average. Given Raleigh’s dominance it’s hard to envision a world where backup Austin Hedges sees much action this year. (A-)

Designated Hitter: Anthony Rizzo will see most of the time here, though he’ll need some help, most likely from Corey Julks. You’d like to see better production from this spot, but it is not in the cards this year. (C-)

Infield: Houston is another team that suffers from the malady otherwise known as the aging infield. Like the Dodgers, the PAs are mostly accounted for but most of these guys had ho-hum seasons and aren’t getting any younger. Gavin Sheets will take over at first base, as veteran Anthony Rizzo will shift to DH when he’s not on the DL. Sheets is the left-handed version of Ty France, i.e., he can’t hit a lick but he brings a steady glove and the ability to trot out there every day. Jeff McNeil will eat the bulk of time at second base with utility man Cavan Biggio gobbling up the leftovers. Fan favorite Carlos Correa is beginning to show signs of wear and tear and will need some support this season at short. Homer Alex Bregman will do the dance again at Houston’s hot corner. Though his production has dipped overall, he should still be good to club 30-plus homers again. Though there are a few things to appreciate here, a changing of the guard seems to be in the not-too-distant future. (C+)

Outfield: 2024 NL MVP Jordan Alvarez returns for an encore. Don’t be shocked when he flirts with 50 homers in 2025. He is truly a beast. But as the only true standout in this lineup, his RBI totals might not be as juicy as in years past. Alvarez will man one corner spot while the other will be manned by George Springer. Clearly, his better days are behind him. Centerfield will be an odd platoon consisting of Harrison Bader and Trent Grisham. When he plays, Grisham will bring his elite arm to the defense. Chas McCormick looks be the backup while Corey Julks may spare Springer against lefties. One of these guys however will be required to help out at DH. Any outfield with Alvarez in it is a good one. However, his supporting cast isn’t nearly as spectacular, leaving me to grade them a (B).

Conclusion: I see the ‘Stros battling it out with the Giants for fourth in the NL West. They might be able to hold out for another season to see if some of their key personnel rebound for another run in ’26 but I believe management is astute enough to read the writing on the wall. There will be too many dinosaurs roaming the park this year and word has it that management is considering a licensing switch, trading in the Minute Maid logo for a Jurassic one.