Houston Astros select high school infielder in mock draft

The Houston Astros had a rough start to 2024 but have since bounced back to get back within two games of the NL West. However, as their dominant core of recent years ages and heads to free agency, Houston needs to start preparing for the future. In MLB Pipeline’s latest mock draft, the Astros are doing just that.

At No. 28, Pipeline lists Kellon Lindsey, a shortstop from Hardee High School in Wauchula, Fla., as one of the Astros. The 18-year-old is ranked No. 29 overall in MLB Pipeline’s draft rankings.

Standing at 6’2”, Lindsey’s best asset is his running, which is rated a 75 on the 20-80 scouting scale. To put it mildly, the infielder is seriously fast. With his ability to post elite running times, his speed gives him a chance to stick around for the long haul.

Lindsey played multiple sports in high school before recently deciding to focus on baseball, and now that he has, he is showing a lot of progress. For the most part, his tools are all average at this point. His defense has improved and his speed is a big part of that. Playing baseball full-time will allow Lindsey to refine his defense and combine his speed to become a better defender.

At the plate, Lindsey is still developing, but he shows promise. The only tool above average, aside from his run, is his hitting tool, rated at 55. Lindsey shows a “short, right-handed swing designed to make contact and send line drives up the middle.” He also shows good batting discipline with a “solid knowledge of the strike zone.”

While his hitting ability is on the rise, Lindsey may never be a very powerful hitter. As it stands, he’s a below-average 40. His scouting report says he’ll need to add strength, but there’s still some “pop to come.”

Lindsey is relatively new to full-time baseball, but there are advantages when it comes to defense and hitting tools. He profiles as a defender first, a danger on the basepath from the shortstop position. As a high schooler, he will need time to develop when he enters professional baseball.

Alex Bregman is a free agent and Jose Altuve is in his 14th season, so it’s time for the Astros to think about rebuilding their system. While he’s not one of the best in baseball, the draft is the best way to start that process. Lindsey could be a good developmental piece to kick off the next era of Astros baseball.