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Cheers, the Astros sign their first-round pick Seth Beer

By Eric Huysman

HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 04: Manager A.J. Hinch #14 of the Houston Astros and general manager Jeff Luhnow talk during batting practice at Minute Maid Park on April 4, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 04: Manager A.J. Hinch #14 of the Houston Astros and general manager Jeff Luhnow talk during batting practice at Minute Maid Park on April 4, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /
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The Houston Astros are working to sign their picks from the 2018 MLB Draft.

WEST PALM BEACH, FL – MARCH 09: Derian Gonzalez #71 of the St. Louis Cardinals is silhouetted as he warms up before a spring training game against the Houston Astros at FITTEAM Ball Park of the Palm Beaches on March 9, 2018, in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
WEST PALM BEACH, FL – MARCH 09: Derian Gonzalez #71 of the St. Louis Cardinals is silhouetted as he warms up before a spring training game against the Houston Astros at FITTEAM Ball Park of the Palm Beaches on March 9, 2018, in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

While the Astros could hope that most of the draft picks will sign, some will choose to go to college to build up their draft stock. We have seen some of their draft picks start to sign, including the biggest of all. They signed their first-round pick, Clemson outfielder, Seth Beer, to a below-slot value deal.

A little about Beer.

Beer is a potential impact bat who could be limited to first base or designated hitter. Jim Callis said that Beer, “might have best three-year run of college production of anyone in this draft.” According to Callis, Beer signed for $2.25 million, which was below the slot value of $2,399,400. Thay may not seem like much of a difference, that extra money could be used to sign a high school player.

According to Brian McTaggart, “Beer hit .301 with 22 homers, 54 RBIs” as a junior at Clemson. He also only struck out 36 times with 54 walks. As Callis mentioned, Beer has a good eye at the plate, which could translate well in the MLB. Look at how much better a hitter Alex Bregman is becoming with his patience and knowledge of the strike zone.

After focusing their last two drafts on pitchers in the first round, so many thought they would go with a bat. With the hitting prospects, they had near big league ready. I thought they would go with a high upside high school bat. The Astros had the 28th overall pick, but you can still easily find a top player to develop with that pick.

Now that Beer is part of the Astros organization, I would like to see how he develops. Will he be able to adjust to wooden bats versus the metal bats used in college? Will he be able to play a position in the future, or will he be limited to the DH? These are all great storylines as he begins his quest for Houston tomorrow with the Tri-City Valley Cats in the New York Penn League. Did the Astros make the right selection with this pick, only time will tell?

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