MLB Draft Expert Projects Shortstop for Houston Astros

The Houston Astros pick 28th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, and even more so than the top ten, first-round back is still a breeze. In Thursday’s latest MLB Pipeline draft, Jim Callis has the Astros selecting Tyson Lewis, a shortstop from Millard West High School in Omaha, Nebraska.

Lewis is becoming something of a backup, according to Callis, who says “…Lewis is riding some helium into the first round saying he could go as high as the teenagers.”

The shortstop, 18, is currently ranked as the 46th best prospect in the draft and the sixth best high school shortstop. During his season, Lewis made progress in both playing power and exit velocity, with his “fast left-handed shot”. According to his scouting report, he can get away with a short draw, but that’s something he can work on in pro ball.

His best tool is his running ability, which he was rated a 60 on a scale of 20 to 80 by Pipeline. His speed allows him to swipe a few bags and allows him more reach in short.

That being said, he has “inconsistent hands and actions” on the diamond, so it’s possible he leaves his position. At 6’2″, 195 pounds, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him move away from short anyway. He’s going to get bigger and stronger, and moving up to third is always a possibility for high school shortstops .

Overall, the University of Arkansas commit has solid tools, with at least 50 grades across the board.

If he were chosen by the Astros, he would be high on their prospect rankings. Houston’s system is older, with only two prospects 20 or younger ranked in their top 20 by Pipeline. This is largely due to most of their prospects graduating in the last two years and even trades like the one they made for Justin Verlander last season.

It will take them some time to rebuild the farm system after so much success with prospects over the past decade, but a player like Lewis could be a good start considering they are selecting so late in the first round.

However, if Callis’ information on Lewis is to be believed, Lewis might not even be available that late. After all, teams like to draft prep bats a little higher in hopes of saving some of their draft pool money.