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Apparently, the trip Jeff Luhnow and Jim Crane made to Chapel Hill, NC, is making some people consider Colin Moran at the number one selection:
Working on Mock Draft likely up on Monday. Big development since the last one is real momentum to UNC 3B Colin Moran going #1 overall to HOU
— Kiley McDaniel (@kileymcd) May 22, 2013
Wednesday afternoon Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle brought us some more 2013 MLB Draft nuggets:
Nine days before #MLB amateur draft, #Houston #Astros still have six players on board for 1.1: Appel, Gray, Bryant, Moran, Frazier, Meadows.
— Brian T. Smith (@ChronAstros) May 22, 2013
Narrowing down to five, though, with Frazier edging Meadows. Out of five, still Appel vs. Gray with Bryant and Frazier as darkhorses.
— Brian T. Smith (@ChronAstros) May 22, 2013
If #Astros decide neither Gray nor Appel are worth 1.1 asking money, will likely go with Bryant or Frazier. Gray/Appel main choices, though.
— Brian T. Smith (@ChronAstros) May 22, 2013
If Appel via Boras attempts to highball #Astros, salary's an issue. If not, club will choose best player on board who fits long-term vision.
— Brian T. Smith (@ChronAstros) May 22, 2013
Astros won't make final decision for 1.1 until scouts, front office convene in Houston. Very close between Gray, Appel right now.
— Brian T. Smith (@ChronAstros) May 22, 2013
Worth watching: Gray's side has ties to #Astros, open to negotiating. Could allow Astros to get 1.1 RHP, not overpay/be tied down.
— Brian T. Smith (@ChronAstros) May 22, 2013
The biggest takeaways are that the Astros still haven't made a decision on the first pick in the draft and are unlikely too until we're closer to June 6, 2013. The draft is still two weeks away so making a decision now is not necessary especially when candidates eliminate themselves from consideration, like it appears Sean Manaea did when he was pulled from his start prior to the start of tournament play for his team Wednesday.
Some of our writers are taking a second look at Colin Moran to see if there's something being missed about him. Our latest draft board had Colin Moran falling out of the Top 10. Could this be a money play or could the Astros be seeing something we're not. The next few weeks should be interesting to say the least.