Overall it was a good first day for the Astros. They are in desperate mode for position players and I do think they got 2 fellas with some MLB potential. I had read that the Astros were very high on both Neyens and Pierce, so it seems that must have been accurate. As they selected Neyens with their pick. 6’4” SS/3B that has a lot of room for potential.
He's projected as a right fielder. He was a DH because he had shoulder surgery. Was a dual threat quarterback in highschool so he has wheels. They say he may even be fast enough to play center in a pinch.
One guy I’d love to see Houston pick today is Arizona State OF Isaiah Jackson. Houston picked him out of HS but didn’t sign him. He’d be a great value anywhere after the 4th round.
Wow I didn't even know this. The 2025 MLB Draft Lottery determined the draft order for the first round, with the Washington Nationals securing the No. 1 pick despite having only a 10.2% chance of winning it. The lottery system allows teams that did not make the postseason to participate, with the top six selections determined by the lottery 1. Nationals (4, 10.2%) 2. Angels (3, 18.0%) 3. Mariners (15, 0.5%) 4. Rockies (T-1, 22.5%) 5. Cardinals (13, 0.8%) 6. Pirates (6, 5.3%) 7. Marlins (T-1, 22.5%) 8. Blue Jays (5, 7.5%) 9. Reds (7, 3.7%) 10. White Sox (ineligible for top pick) 11. Athletics (ineligible for top pick) 12. Rangers (8, 2.5%) 13. Giants (9, 1.9%) 14. Rays (10, 1.5%) 15. Red Sox (11, 1.2%) 16. Twins (12, 1.1%) 17. Cubs (14, 0.7%) 18. D-backs (16, 0.3%)
I also read somewhere that the Rockies are not eligible for a top six pick next yesr, which is wild given how bad they are. I’m glad they picked up Ethan Holiday. Cool story for them with his dad’s success in COL.
Rome reporting Frey is getting above slot. That’s surprising and probably eliminates the possibility of Houston getting any significant overslot guys with today’s picks. They might get an Anthony Huezo or Nehomar Ochoa type who only need <$500k to sign but they’re not getting more than 2 of those guys and they’re not getting any Jaworsky types who require >$800k.
Neyens is the most talented HS position player Houston has drafted since 2015, and Kyle Tucker and Carlos Correa are the only 2 guys who were more talented in the last ~20 years. Neyens is on Correa’s level in terms of power, arm, and plate discipline, but he will swing and miss more and is slower than Correa; I think Neyens will be more durable than Correa has been. Frey kind of reminds me a little bit of Domingo Santana.
A lot of different opinions on Frey. Some say he would have gone in round 1 without an injury and there are some that think that he isn't a good enough athlete or hitter to play a major role in the big leagues. From what I have seen of him, I don't think he is destined to be a DH. He isn't a plodder like Seth Beer and looks fairly fluid, he isn't even a JD Davis type guy, looks more like an average corner outfielder to me. As far as hitting goes, no he isn't ever going to be Albert Pujols or Barry Bonds - but there is no reason he cannot be Mitch Haniger or a Hunter Pence type level of production if he pans out. There is also a real chance he advances fast in the system as the only real issue with him is contact rate.
I was seeing some YouTube videos about him, and I saw that at one point he was viewed as a potential overall #1 pick. Everywhere I read, he has superstar potential with a reasonable chance to stick at 3rd base, but his more realistic future might be at 1st base. I assume he will take anywhere between 3-5 years to make it to the ML club based on his age. Good luck to the young fella and probable future Astros superstar.
