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The Houston Astros are projected to select a high-floor standout from Virginia in the upcoming MLB Draft. This pick marks their highest first-round selection since 2017, at 17th overall.
Astros projected to take 'high-floor' Virginia standout in latest mock draft originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Houston Astros have done an excellent job in the MLB Draft over the years. They've drafted players like George Springer, Carlos Correa, Lance McCullers Jr., Alex Bregman, and Kyle Tucker in the past.
As you can see, these are guys who have had quite the career so far. So the club understands the importance of making the most with their first-round selection.
Last year, the club selected Xavier Neyens, a shortstop from Mount Vernon High School in Washington at 21. This year, they will be selecting 17th overall, which is the highest they have drafted in the first round since the 2017 season.
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There will be plenty of talent for the Astros to decide on by the time their name is called in the first round. There is a solid mix of high school and college talent.
Houston has primarily enjoyed taking college talent in the first round, and that trend could continue as links them to Virginia University shortstop Eric Becker.
The specific name of the Virginia standout has not been disclosed in the mock draft.
The 17th overall pick is the highest first-round selection for the Astros since the 2017 season, highlighting their opportunity to secure a top talent.
The Astros have previously drafted successful players like George Springer, Carlos Correa, and Alex Bregman.

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"Becker is a high-floor middle infielder with one of the better hit tools in the 2026 class, and he sports a .356/.454/.621 line over 573 plate appearances as a three-year starter at Virginia. He played third base for Team USA last summer and might end up fitting best as an offensive-minded utility player who fills an everyday role without an everyday position."
Some scouts aren't too sure he will stick at shortstop in the big leagues and instead work as a utility player. He has experience playing all over the diamond, with a great bat to back that up.
If utility is not an option, expect the young slugger to make the move over to second or third base once his pro career gets underway.