The Astros completed the first day of the draft by selecting Minooka HS starting pitcher Mike Foltynewicz and Minnesota catcher Mike Kvasnicka, whom the Astros have listed as a third baseman.
Foltynewicz can reach 96 on the gun and has an effective sinker to boot. The Chicago Sun-Times has more on the Illinois product.
Foltynewicz, who is signed to play at the University of Texas, was nothing short of dominant this spring. He finished with a 9-1 record, an earned run average of 0.38 and a 128/24 strikeout/walk ratio in 72 2/3 innings. His lone loss was a three-hitter in which he didn’t allow an earned run in a 1-0 defeat. He also had a huge year at the plate with eight homers and 39 RBI.
Kvasnicka, as noted, is projected to be a third baseman in the majors, since the Astros already have a top catcher prospect in Jason Castro. Regardless of his position, David Coleman doesn’t particularly like the selection.
There are times when I haven’t agreed with a draft pick because it was a bad spot to take them. With Kvasnicka, I just don’t like the player. Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe the Astros are projecting this guy to be awesome with the bat. It’s telling that they drafted him as a third baseman. I just don’t like his bat.
Here’s hoping that Bobby Heck and crew know their stuff. As always, we’ll never know how great or how poor these picks are until a few years down the road, so for now, get ready for day two tomorrow to see who else the Astros will select.