Houston Astros 2023 MLB draft picks, analysis

The 2023 MLB draft is complete! And after 20 rounds of picks, Houston Astros fans are surely already dreaming that one of the newest Astros will be a star. But which one?Here's more on Houston's 2023 draft class, with analysis from ESPN insiders.

First round (No. 28 overall): Brice Matthews, SS, Nebraska

37th in Kiley McDaniel's pre-draft rankings

Who is Matthews? A high school quarterback in Texas, Matthews hit .359 with 20 home runs and 20 steals for the Cornhuskers, the first player in school history to reach 20/20 -- and it came with some of the data points that front offices love these days, including an average exit velocity equal to Crews.

Why the Astros took him: New GM Dana Brown comes from a more traditional scouting background, but this is a pick that aligns with the Astros' number-crunching models of the past decade. But Matthews is more than just a data darling, as all of his tools grade as average or better. Given the huge improvement from his sophomore to junior seasons, he could be a late-blooming prospect. He has the range and arm to play shortstop but made 21 errors, so he could end up moving elsewhere in the infield or perhaps to center field. -- David Schoenfield

McDaniel's pre-draft take: Matthews was a data nerd favorite entering the spring for his above-average power/speed combo and steadily rose throughout the spring. He's a middle infielder, maybe a shortstop, and has a power-over-hit approach, but has a premium set of tools and strong performances.

Second round (No. 61 overall): Alonzo Tredwell, RHP, UCLA

71st in Kiley McDaniel's rankings

McDaniel's pre-draft take: The 6-foot-8 righty missed his prep senior season to Tommy John surgery, was a reliever as a freshman and started this spring, though missed some time with a back issue. He has solid-average stuff and above-average control.

Third round (No. 99 overall): Jake Bloss, P, Georgetown

170th in Kiley McDaniel's rankings

Fourth round (No. 131 overall): Cam Fisher, OF, UNC Charlotte

128th in Kiley McDaniel's rankings

McDaniel's pre-draft take: Old for the class at a mid-major school but highly productive with 25 HR pro upside, solid-average speed in power and patience mold.

Fifth round (No. 164 overall): Chase Jaworsky, SS, Rock Canyon (Colo.) HS

Sixth round (No. 194 overall): Ethan Pecko, P, Towson

Seventh round (No. 224 overall): Joey Dixon, P, Stanford

Eighth round (No. 254 overall): Ryan Johnson, 2B, Pepperdine

Ninth round (No. 284 overall): Jeron Williams, SS, Toledo

Tenth round (No. 314 overall): Austin Demig, INF, BYU

Eleventh round (No. 344 overall): Nehomar Ochoa Jr., OF, Galena Park (Texas) HS

133rd in Kiley McDaniel's rankings

McDaniel's pre-draft take: Combo of young for class with plus arm, speed and raw power; has been wowing in workouts.

Twelfth round (No. 374 overall): Anthony Huezo, OF, Etiwanda (Calif.) HS

299th in Kiley McDaniel's rankings

Thirteenth round (No. 404 overall): James Hicks, P, South Carolina

Fourteenth round (No. 434 overall): Jackson Nezuh, P, Louisiana Lafayette

Fifteenth round (No. 464 overall): Garret Guillemette, C, Texas

Sixteenth round (No. 494 overall): Will Buch, C, Tyler JC

Seventeenth round (No. 524 overall): Colby Langford, P, Murray State College

Eighteenth round (No. 554 overall): Derek True, P, Cal Poly

Nineteenth round (No. 584 overall): Andrew Duncan, OF, A3 Academy

209th on Kiley McDaniel's rankings

Twentieth round (No. 614 overall): Pascanel Ferreras, SS, Western Carolina