Now I guess it's pretty obvious just how much attention I pay to the MLB All Star Festivities. Back in the day, as a kid, AL vs NL, I sure used to.
Name another catcher worth a damn in our system. Plus, Diaz can always move between C & DH longer term . . . if he's even still on our roster in 3 years.
He was undoubtedly the best player on their board at the time. The players we had ranked higher had already been taken. In the first round most teams are looking for the best available (up the middle) player. He is also versatile enough to play at any corner IF or OF spot.
2024 potential Astros Third rounder. RHP, Ryan Johnson, Dallas Baptist RHP, Carson Wiggins, Roland Oklahoma
This is "old man yelling at cloud" territory, but I miss a whole lot of stuff about the late 70's to 80's era of baseball. '85 WS, Cardinals vs Royals, is the first one that I can remember specific pitches, ABs, defensive plays...I was 10. It didn't hurt that George Brett was my favorite player.
Astros believe he is Top 10. And he fell all the way to 28. Analytics, Advanced Stats must be Elite for Walker Janek.
Had heard a couple people say we would take him but I will admit I’m a little surprised because of his position. He was a good but not great high schooler that played catcher and 1st. He has consistently improved to the point that he was viewed as a last first rounder. The good is that he is capable of doing a little bit of everything. He has under rated bat speed and has used that to start hitting for power. He will sacrifice contact for power by over committing. So the power is there if he chooses to go that route going forward. His glove had promise but is average at this point with potential to be pretty good. Arm strength is already at a big league level and loves to pick of runners and throw guys out. He has ADHD and in past has struggled focusing but have heard he has control of that. Considered to be very crafty and strong leader with pitchers. Is as concerned with pitcher success as he is with his batting average. solid - if not a spectacular pick. Coming from the school he came from, he may need an extra year in minors to get ready for all the duties as a receiver, pitcher handler and hitter. Probably 2-3 years away if he doesn’t stumble out of the date. Similar prospect to Korey Lee but with better bat speed and contact, but less power. Personally I hope they don’t try to make him a power hitter. If he they get him to not worry about power and he adjusts from level to level, I think he can push .300 because of the bat speed and feel for hitting.
A star? Probably not but his bat to ball ability and bat speed make it possible that he can be an all star if things really break well for him… reminds me some of Jason Kendall in his natural ability to make contact and has gap power (assuming he stops trying to hit homers).
