Astros select RHP Alex Santos with 72nd pick

With their first pick in the draft, the Houston Astros selected eighteen year-old Alex Santos at pick No. 72.

Santos, a Bronx native, was the 56th ranked prospect according to MLB.com's 2020 Draft Prospect Rankings. At age 18, Santos is committed to Maryland University, meaning that there is a possibility that he forgoes signing with the Astros in favor of playing college baseball.

Santos showcased a fastball that consistently touched 92-93 MPH in a majority of his outings, paired with a slider around the 76-78 MPH range and a changeup hovering around the low-80's. Given his age and his current build at 6'3", 185 lbs., it's expected that Santos will fill out as he grows older and increase his velocity.

The pick is new Astros general manager James Click's first selection as head of the organization. Despite the Astros being college-heavy with their draft picks in years prior, Click opened his era as Astros GM by opting to take a chance on the young developmental high school player. His signing carries a $870,000 slot value.

This is the Astros first pick in the draft after forfeiting their first and second round picks as punishment for the sign-stealing scandal. Their pick at No. 72 is a compensatory selection given as a result of former Astro Gerrit Cole declining the team's qualifying offer last winter.