Mapping out Astros future using clues from the MLB draft

BLUEPRINT FOR THE FUTURE

The MLB Draft got started over the weekend, and the Houston Astros drafted a shortstop and a pitcher with their first two selections.

Shortstop Brice Mathews from the University of Nebraska provides power and speed, and Houston could use more infield talent in their system. Also, with Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman set to be free agents after next season, adding to the infield makes a lot of sense. Mathews could move to another infield position if necessary.

With the team's second pick, they drafted 6'8” UCLA pitcher, Alonzo Treadwell. The Astros currently have Luis Garcia, and Lance McCullers working back from arm surgery. So the team addressed two of their biggest needs, infield, and pitching.

Both players were drafted out of college, so hopefully they can make it to the majors sooner rather than later.

Don't miss the video above as we share our thoughts on the Astros selections and when we could see them making an impact on the big league roster.

Check out our Astros podcast every Monday at 3PM on SportsMap's YouTube channel! It's also available (audio only) on demand wherever you get your podcasts.

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The Angels beat the Astros, 3-0. Composite Getty Image.

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.

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