Getting to Know the Houston Astros Draft Picks in Rounds 3-10

Hyperlink on each player’s name is connected to their Twitter account if they have one so you can follow your newest Astros prospects.

Round 3 Pick 102: Jeremy Pena

Jeremy Pena is a 6’0’’ 179lbs shortstop out of The University of Maine. He is known primarily for his defensive ability but has shown some power in his collegiate years. He has plus speed and should be able to play shortstop at the big-league level thanks to his strong arm. Swing and miss issues have scouts slightly worried about the length in his swing. Fixing this will be key to his success at the plate in pro ball. Pena has the ability to be an elite level defender and will have to show that he is a good enough hitter to make it to the show.

Round 4 Pick 132: Alex McKenna

McKenna is a 6’2” 200lbs outfielder out of Cal Poly. He came on to the scene with an impressive sophomore year where he hit .365. He continued to help his draft stock when he hit .298 that summer in the Cape Cod League. He has some power in his swing that has not yet translated to games, but scouts believe it’s there and could be tapped into with some professional coaching. McKenna has been praised for an advanced approach at the plate and a line drive oriented swing. McKenna may have the ability to stick in center field but that will be a challenge. Look for him to end up as an above average corner outfielder at the big-league level.

Round 5 Pick 125: Cody Deason

Deason is a 6’4” 205 lbs right handed pitcher out of The University of Arizona. Arizona’s Friday night guy, also known as a college team’s ace, sits around 90-94 with his fastball which is pretty flat, but his 79-83 mph curveball is a plus pitch. He also mixes in a changeup but it needs some development to become serviceable in professional ball. He has been praised for his competitive make up and closer mentality even in a starters role. Deason will likely start his pro career as a starter, but scouts think his best chance of making a major league roster is as a reliever.

Round 6 Pick 192: R.J. Freure

Freure is a 6’1” 210 lbs right handed pitcher from The University of Pittsburgh. The draft eligible sophomore held a 4.47 era in 96.2 innings of work during his time at Pitt. He throws a sinking fastball from a three quarters arm slot that sits in the low to mid 90’s. Freure also mixes in a good 11/5 curveball that has the potential to be a plus pitch. Freure will be pitching out of the bullpen in his pro career.

Round 7 Pick 222: Cesar Salazar

Salazar is a 5’9” 185 lbs catcher out of The University of Arizona. He is the 2nd Wildcat that the Astros have selected thus far in the 2018 draft and in his junior year he at Arizona he hit .339 with four homers. He hit .229 with four bombs in the Cape Cod league last summer. Salazar has an average arm but he makes up for it with his quick hands and release. He has been called a great leader and been heavily praised by his college coaches, “He’s my favorite player I’ve ever coached,” said UA head coach Jay Johnson.

Round 8 Pick 252: Austin Hansen

Hansen is a 6’0” 195lbs right handed pitcher out of The University of Oklahoma. He is a hard throwing righty whose fastball has touched 96. Scouts have seen his velocity fade later in outings which might mean he will be a bullpen arm in the pros. He also has a good changeup and an improving slurve. He was very affective this past year at Oklahoma throwing 37.2 innings and posting a 2.39 ERA. Most impressively he held his opponents to a .199 batting average. Look for Hansen’s stuff to play up in a bullpen roll in pro ball.

Round 9 Pick 282: Scott Schreiber

Schreiber is a 6’3” 230 lbs outfielder out of The University of Nebraska. He had an incredible career in four years at Nebraska hitting above .325 ever year. His senior year he hit .416 with 11 dingers in 31 games. Schreiber has shown the ability to hit the long ball hitting 37 collegiate homers. He was drafted after his junior year in the 26th round by the Rays but decided to return for his senior year.

Round 10 Pick 31: Chandler Taylor

Taylor is a 6’1” 210 lbs outfielder out of The University of Alabama. He ranked 8th in the SEC in home runs with 13 his junior year. Taylor is a big physical player that shows raw power in his left-handed swing. He will have to play a corner outfield position due to his lack of speed and it will probably end up being left field due to his less than plus arm. Taylor’s pro career will come down to what he can do at the plate. If he can take his 38 collegiate home runs and continue that in the pros he might find himself in the big leagues one day.