MLB Pipeline Has Houston Astros Taking Potential Star in Mock Draft

The Houston Astros will try to get some more talented youth into their farm system and could find that with this first round selection in MLB Pipeline's mock drat

Besides leading the Houston Astros during this "win now" era, general manager Dana Brown will be responsible for overseeing the replenishment of their farm system that has deteriorated to one of the worst in baseball.

As a former scout himself, much of his front office restructure this offseason was to get more people with eye for talent and development into positions of power, where they can have greater impact across the organization.

Rebuilding the Astros' pipeline will be an important task to ensure they remain competitive when their current crop of stars eventually age out.

It will be difficult for Brown and his staff to do that because of the success Houston has during the regular season.

They don't pick high and thus aren't able to select the "can't miss" prospects.

So, what type of player will the Astros potentially be drafting in the first round of the upcoming 2024 MLB Draft?

Well, MLB Pipeline has them selecting potential star shortstop Kaelen Culpepper out of Kansas State University with the 28th overall selection.

"Culpepper's arrow is pointing up after he was the top hitter on the U.S. collegiate national team last summer," Jim Callis provides in a limited scouting report for the mock draft.

This scouting report gives a little bit more detail about the 20-year-old.

"A right-handed hitter, Culpepper has a disciplined approach that prioritizes making consistent contact and using the entire field. He has well-above-average bat speed and enough strength to produce average power, yet he has a flat swing and rarely drives the ball in the air ... He has at least plus arm strength and is a potential Gold Glover at third base, though that position would demand more power production than shortstop. He's an average runner and an opportunistic basestealer."

Whether or not this will actually be who Houston selects is to be seen. There's tons of time left for evaluations, trades and other things that can occur before the draft takes place in July 2024.

But if Culpepper is their pick, it looks like he could have a high ceiling.