Draft Preview: MLB Pipeline's Jim Callis talks Astros strategy, prospects to know

You excited to have two early draft picks? When was the last time that happened?

2015 that we're going to get into the draft capital that they have this year is something we haven't seen in really over a decade at this point.

So that kind of goes right into it before we get into specific prospects.

But the Astros having the two first round pick 1728, they got 28 based on the PPI pick.

How important in your mind is this draft for rebuilding the system? We know that there's been a lot of trades promotions just over the last probably six, seven years.

And they have an opportunity now with six picks in the first four rounds to to kind of rebuild the system.

Yeah, I mean, as you know, it's their best opportunity since 2025 when they had what the second and fifth picks because they failed to sign Brady Aiken, which I think trading Brady Aiken for Alex Bregman worked out okay.

Like it was probably pretty good move.

And they also, I think had a sandwich pick that year and got Daz Cameron also.

So I want to say, if I remember correctly, at that time, I think it was the largest bonus pool in draft history and no team's ever had two of the top five picks like they've had before.

But no, I mean, it is really important.

I mean, I talked to Kenny about this.

I joke with the Astros about it.

Nobody ever ranks their farm system high.

So I was going to say, you know, the farm system isn't ranked high, but it hasn't been ranked high in about a decade and they still managed to produce big leaguers.

But no, I think it is a big opportunity.

I would think barring something shocking that the guys they take at 1728 will immediately rank among the top four prospects in the farm system.

So having those two picks, and then you mentioned the bonus pool.

They got a huge bonus pool this year.

Do you see them potentially using one of those picks as maybe trying to get a guy under slot to try to go over slot with maybe a prep player later on?

I mean, yes and no.