Astros projected to take one of the top high school arms in early 2026 mock draft

Jared Bloom

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Astros projected to take one of the top high school arms in early 2026 mock draft image

After a disappointing 2025 season, the Houston Astros found themselves with higher odds than they have seen in quite some time to take home the first overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft. 

They had just a 0.34%, which ultimately did not work out. The first pick went to the Chicago White Sox, who held the highest odds with a 27.35% chance. 

Houston will now have the 17th overall pick in the upcoming draft. While that is a bit disappointing, there will still be loads of great talent to choose from. 

Astros projected to take one of the top high school arms in early 2026 mock draft

For starters, mock drafts are typically just for fun, and they can change at any moment. There is no telling if any of these MLB prospects will continue to have good seasons or find points of struggle during the spring. 

Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter has come out with his early mock draft for the 2026 season. Here, he believes that California high school pitcher Logan Schmidt could fall to them. 

"A strong summer showcase circuit vaulted Schmidt into the top tier of prep left-handers, alongside Gio Rojas and Carson Bolemon, and he now fits comfortably into the middle of the first round. With 6'4", 215-pound frame, good command of his three-pitch arsenal and clean mechanics, he offers a nice mix of upside and polish, and he will be just 17 on draft after reclassifying."

Schmidt really started to make a name for himself this past summer when his velocity increased during the Area Code Games. This helped propel him into a much higher tier of draft prospects. 

He has great command of all three of his pitches and is still young, so he could continue to develop in the minors and be molded into what Houston wants him to be.

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