On a July 17 break, the Astros' front office shifts focus from their 13-3 win over the A's to the 2025 MLB Draft. Who will they pick at #21?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It's a quiet Thursday in Houston, with the Astros enjoying a mid-summer break from the action. The echoes of their last game, a dominant 13-3 thrashing of the A's, still feel fresh despite the time off. But don't mistake quiet for inactive. While the players rest, the front office is deep in one of the most crucial events of the year: the MLB Draft. For a team with a notoriously thin farm system, these few days could define the next era of Astros baseball.
The Astros entered the 2025 MLB Draft with the 21st overall pick, their only selection on day one. Their next pick isn't until the fourth round, 126th overall.
With the 21st overall pick in their pocket and a long wait until their next selection at 126, the pressure was on for the Astros' front office. The consensus among experts was that Houston would target a college hitter, a player who could navigate the farm system quickly and contribute to the big-league club sooner rather than later. Names like Texas A&M's powerhouse outfielder Jace LaViolette and slick-fielding Arkansas shortstop Wehiwa Aloy were floated as prime targets, fitting the mold of advanced bats the Astros covet. While the pick has been made, the strategy reveals the team's urgent need to inject near-ready talent into the lower levels of the organization.
The focus on the draft is amplified by the latest league-wide farm system rankings. Following the draft's initial rounds, the Astros' system has slipped to 24th overall, down from 22nd. While a drop is never ideal, it's the price of sustained success and trading prospects for World Series contention. The current system is headlined by a few intriguing names fans should know: Tier 3 prospects Brice Matthews (2B) and hard-throwing Miguel Ullola (RHP), along with Tier 4 players Jacob Melton (OF) and Walker Powell (C). The goal now is to add a new crop of talent to bolster this group and begin the climb back up the rankings.
If a 24th-ranked farm system makes you nervous, remember the Astros' secret weapon: player development. This organization has a proven track record of finding and polishing gems in the middle rounds of the draft. Look no further than recent successes like 2024 sixth-rounder Caden Powell or 2023 selections Chase Jaworsky and Nehomar Ochoa Jr., who are already outperforming their draft positions. This ability to maximize talent is how the Astros have defied the odds for years, and it's their clearest path to reloading the system without high first-round picks.
Beyond the draft, it's been a completely silent period for the Astros. There were no trades, no roster moves, no injury updates, and no major announcements from the team on Thursday. The players are off the grid, and the coaches are likely taking a well-deserved breather. This total lack of news underscores just how much the franchise's current focus is singular: rebuilding the farm and preparing for the second half of the season.
While the diamond at Minute Maid Park is quiet, the Astros' war room is buzzing. The work done this week during the MLB Draft won't pay dividends tomorrow, but it's the foundation for the championships of 2028 and beyond. As we await the team's return to action, the real game is being played behind the scenes, one draft pick and development success story at a time. The future is being built now.
