Houston Astros sign eight draft picks and three free agents

The Houston Astros have signed eight of their draft picks and also signed three other undrafted free agents, MLB.com reported Friday.

The highest draft pick and signing so far is Cole Herzler, a right-handed pitcher from Liberty, chosen in the fifth round.

That means the Astros’ top three picks remain unsigned for now: Sam Houston catcher Walter Janek, who was selected in the first round; UC San Diego right-handed pitcher Ryan Forcucci, who was selected in the third round; and Rice right-handed pitcher Parker Smith, who was selected in the fourth round.

The Astros did not have a second-round pick.

The Houston Astros are on the West Coast to begin the second half of the season against the Seattle Mariners. They are also preparing for the trade deadline, which is set for June 30.

Houston signed its eighth-, ninth- and 10th-round picks, respectively: Radford right-handed pitcher Dylan Howard, Illinois-Chicago right-handed pitcher Ryan Smith and Southeastern University right-handed pitcher Ramsey David.

Also signed were Murray State shortstop Drew Vogel, a 15th-round pick, South Carolina P27 Academy outfielder Ethan Wagner, a 17th-round pick, Western Kentucky pitcher Grant Burleson, an 18th-round pick, and Connors State College pitcher Twine Palmer, a 19th-round pick.

The Astros also signed three undrafted free agents. Infielder Max Holy is from Central Missouri, outfielder Lucas Spence is from Southern Illinois-Edwardsville and pitcher Danny Trehey is from Florida Atlantic.

The full list of Astros picks in the 2024 MLB draft is below.

(Tour, player, school, position, bat/pitch)

Bold: indicates signed.

1st round: Walker Janek, Sam Houston, C, R/R

3rd round: Ryan Forcucci, UC San Diego, P, R/R

Round 4: Parker Smith, Rice, P, R/R

Round 5: Cole Hertzler, Liberty, P, R/R

Round 6: Caden Powell, Seminole State, SS, R/R

Round 7: Joseph Sullivan, University of South Alabama, OF, L/L

Round 8: Dylan Howard, Radford, P, R/R

9th round: Ryan Smith, Illinois-Chicago, P, R/R

Round 10: Ramsey David, Southeastern University, P, R/R

Round 11: Jason Schiavone, James Madison, C, R/R

12th round: Ryan Verdugo, CSU Bakersfield, P, R/R

13th round: Bryce Boettcher, Oregon, OF, R/R

Round 14: Ryan Mathiesen, The Master’s University, P, R/R

Round 15: Drew Vogel, Murray State University, SS, R/R

Round 16: Bryce Mayer, Missouri, P, R/R

Round 17: Ethan Wagner, P27 Academy (SC), OF, R/R

Round 18: Grant Burleson, Western Kentucky, P, R/R

Round 19: Twine Palmer, Connors St College, P, R/R

Round 20: Ky McGary, Sandra Day O’Connor HS (AZ), OF, R/R