I really do think Melton and Gilbert are 2 of the 15 best college position players in this draft. Both could easily have been picked in the 15-20 range of a lot of previous drafts. Good picks.
The Astros close out Day 1 of the draft with... Compensation Round 2, Pick 80: Andrew Taylor, RHP, Central Michigan Day 2 begins at 1:00 PM and will cover rounds 3-10.
P Andrew Taylor, CMu spin rate darling with middling velo and injury questions. Hope that’s an under slot deal.
Elite college (or HS) prospects (as I said, with exceptions) don't get drafted in the 25+ picks and don't make the Show for a couple of years, at least. Berkman was the best hitter in college baseball and it took him 2+ years to get to the bigs and stick...
Andrew Taylor RHP, Central Michigan AGE 20 BATS R DOB 09/23/2001 THROWS R HT 6' 5" WT 190 Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 50 | Overall: 45 Taylor was spectacular in his first full college season in 2021, earning Mid-American Conference pitcher of the year and consensus All-America honors while setting a Central Michigan record with 125 strikeouts. He broke his own mark with 126 whiffs this spring, though he also left starts in April and May with elbow tightness. He didn't miss a turn in the rotation, however, and he looked good in an NCAA regional start against Florida and could become the first Chippewas pitcher to go in the top four rounds since Kevin Tapani in 1986. Taylor's fastball sits at 90 mph and tops out at 94, but it's an analytics darling with its high spin rates and carry. Add in the extension he creates with his skinny 6-foot-5 frame, and hitters struggle to get good swings against his heater and repeatedly get beat with it up in the zone. He uses his fastball roughly 80 percent of the time and his most reliable secondary pitch is a solid 78-82 mph changeup with fade and depth. While he has improved his breaking balls, a soft mid-70s downer curveball and a nascent 78-83 mph slider, they're no more than average offerings. Taylor keeps his long limbs in sync, allowing him to repeat his delivery and provide strikes. While there are some questions about his health, there's also some thought that he has more upside remaining if a pro club can help him increase his strength and feel for spinning the ball. — MLB
94 at age 20 isn't a death sentence for pitchers at all. Don't be shocked if a few more MPH get squeezed from that arm as he matures. EDIT: 6'5" 190? Yeah, no way he's reached his max velo. I'll take a shot now and say he'll be touching 95-96 by his 24th birthday.
Looking at guys I like that are still available heading into tomorrow in rounds 3-4: SS Gavin Guidry P/SS Nazier Mule P Jonathan Cannon P Ben Joyce C Drake Baldwin
I haven’t heard this, but he fits the profile of a lot of kids the Astros go after… hasn’t had elite coaching or nutrition… they will work on his delivery and likely increase his velocity and hope he keeps the walks down:
Andrew Taylor hit the lottery getting drafted by the Astros. If anyone can turn him into something special it’s the Astros… if they offer to sign him for beer money and sleeping on the equipment managers couch, he should immediately sign.
Just glad to get some high picks again. Hopefully they pan out. Gilbert could be special one day he seems to have that it factor. I work up here in Tennessee now and they are crazy about him here of course.
Didn't like the Andrew Taylor pick at first because the grades on his breaking stuff are average at best, but he's a strike thrower with some velo upside which is what we lack in the system. Lots of velo guys with good breaking stuff but spotty command (Hunter Brown). Andrew Taylor will definitely put on some weight and the velo will be sitting 92-95mph in a few years. Just needs to continue throwing strikes and I'm sure the PD team will help him work on his breaking stuff. Already has a good changeup so we're part of the way there.
I think Ben Joyce is an arm injury waiting to happen, but man would he be fun to have around. Just for ****'s and giggles. eta: all you're allowed to throw is 102+ 4S and we'll teach you a 98+ 2S, and maybe a changepiece later. RH Billy Wagner
The Astros pitching scouts look for the same things. Come in with one elite pitch, figure out the rest, and leave the walk cleanup to the ML coaches. Hunter Brown may have spotty command, but he's the 3rd starter on 23 teams.
