Major League Baseball's draft is now six months away and MLB.com has released their top 50 prospects. There are a few familiar names that some Astros fans will definitely recognize.
Brady Aiken appears at number three on the list after not signing last summer with the Astros after there was some concern over Aiken's physical. Aiken ultimately never attended UCLA and has yet to attend any college. He is assumed to attend a Junior College this spring so that scouts can continue to put eyes on him which will be crucial considering the abnormality of his ulnar collateral ligament. Independent Leagues are still a possibility for Aiken.
Another familiar name that will be less recognizable unless you follow the draft fairly closely is Phil Bickford. He was the 10th overall pick in 2013 to the Blue Jays but ended up at Cal State Fullerton where he was a little underwhelming. However, he shined in the Cape Cod League this past summer and he decided to transfer to a JuCo. That move makes him available for this upcoming draft and adds another high profile arm in play.
This list also includes three players from Vanderbilt; RHP Carson Fulmer, RHP Walker Buehler, and SS/2B Dansby Swanson. Considering the Vanderbilt connection from the 2013 draft with both Tony Kemp and Conrad Gregor who were Juniors when these three were Freshman.
With the Astros owning the 2nd, 5th, and 34th (subject to change) in the first round, this list likely contains several future Astros.