The MLB Draft started on Sunday and the Houston Astros made three selections, adding some much-needed depth to their farm system. Keep in mind, the Astros haven't had a first or second round pick for the last two years because of the punishment handed down by MLB for the sign-stealing scandal.
The Astros used their first pick (No. 28 overall) to select Tennessee outfielder Drew Gilbert.
Ht.: 5'10" Wt.: 185 lbs Bats: L Throws: L
Gilbert hit .362 last season for the Volunteers with 11 home runs, 70 RBI, while slugging .673 with an OPS of 1.128.
Be sure to check out the video above as Gilbert's manager from Tennessee shares some interesting insight, as he was in person giving analysis at the draft.
With the Astros next pick, they selected left-handed Oregon State outfielder/infielder Jacob Melton at No. 64 overall. Melton hit .360 last season for the Beavers with 17 home runs, 83 RBI, while slugging .670 with an OPS of 1.094.
With the Astros 3rd pick in the draft (No. 80 overall), Houston selected right-handed pitcher Andrew Taylor from Central Michigan.
In Taylor's career at Central Michigan, the 6-foot-5, 190-pounder went 20-8 with a 2.45 ERA in three seasons. He recorded 261 strikeouts and walked 55 in 195 career innings.
All three of the Astros top picks are college players, meaning they might make an impact in the big leagues sooner rather than later.
The MLB Draft will continue over the next two days, with it coming to an end on Tuesday after 20 rounds.
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José Soriano and two relievers combined for a two-hitter and Oswald Peraza hit his first home run since a trade from the Yankees to lead the Los Angeles Angels to a 3-0 win over the Houston Astros on Sunday.
Soriano (10-9) allowed one hit and struck out eight in seven innings. Luis García allowed one hit in a scoreless eighth and Kenley Jansen threw a perfect ninth for his 25th save.
There were two outs in the fifth when Peraza connected off Hunter Brown (10-7) into the bullpen in right-center field to put the Angels up 1-0. His homer comes after his two-run single in the ninth inning Saturday helped Los Angeles to a 4-1 victory that snapped a three-game skid.
Yoan Moncada walked to start the eighth and scored on Mike Trout’s double that bounced off the wall in center field to make it 2-0. Taylor Ward walked before Luis Rengifo reached and Trout scored on an error by Lance McCullers Jr. when the pitcher overthrew first base.
Yordan Alvarez singled with no outs in the first and Soriano walked a batter in the second and sixth innings. The Astros didn’t get another hit until Ramón Urías doubled with one out in the eighth inning. Los Angeles outfielder Taylor Ward was injured trying to make a catch on that hit when he crashed face-first into the metal scoreboard in left field.
He was carted off the field holding a towel to the right side of his face. He was taken to a hospital by ambulance where interim manager Ray Montgomery said he would receive stitches to close the cut and be evaluated.
Brown allowed three hits and a run with five strikeouts in six innings. McCullers Jr. allowed three hits and two runs in his first relief appearance since 2018.
Key moment
The home run by Peraza.
Key stat
It’s the fifth time the Astros have been shut out this month.
Up next
LHP Yusei Kikuchi (6-9, 3.68 ERA) will start for Los Angeles in the series finale Monday against RHP Luis Garcia, who’ll make his return after sitting out since May 2023 recovering from Tommy John surgery.