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Astros Draft 2018: A look at the needs of the farm system

By Eric Huysman

PORT ST. LUCIE, FL - MARCH 06: Kyle Tucker #79 of the Houston Astros reacts after hitting a home run against the New York Mets during the seventh inning of a spring training game at First Data Field on March 6, 2018 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. The Mets defeated the Astros 9-5. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PORT ST. LUCIE, FL - MARCH 06: Kyle Tucker #79 of the Houston Astros reacts after hitting a home run against the New York Mets during the seventh inning of a spring training game at First Data Field on March 6, 2018 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. The Mets defeated the Astros 9-5. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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A brief look at the Astros farm system before the 2018 draft that begins Monday.

HOUSTON, TX – NOVEMBER 03: Houston Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow waves to the crowd during the Houston Astros Victory Parade on November 3, 2017 in Houston, Texas. The Astros defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-1 in Game 7 to win the 2017 World Series. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – NOVEMBER 03: Houston Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow waves to the crowd during the Houston Astros Victory Parade on November 3, 2017 in Houston, Texas. The Astros defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-1 in Game 7 to win the 2017 World Series. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

Unlike other sports, MLB teams typically go with the best available players and find a fit later. The Astros have been a prime example of this after drafting shortstop Alex Bregman in the 2015 draft. They had Carlos Correa already entrenched at shortstop, and on the night of the draft, George Springer told him that they drafted his replacement. Little did he know that Bregman would make his debut the next year as a third baseman.

After drafting Bregman, they drafted Kyle Tucker with the fifth overall pick of the draft. Astros fans are awaiting his debut, but that won’t happen until there is a need for it. The Super Two deadline is coming and going soon; it’s just a matter of time before he gets the call. In the 2016 draft, they drafted Forrest Whitley followed by J.B. Buskaukas in 2017. Who will be next?

When you are looking at the organizational depth at each position, you can get a feel for what is needed. While there are more than just the Top-30 prospects, these are the players we will focus on for this post. I will throw in a few lesser know prospects as well.