In about 60% of the mock drafts I've seen lately, the Astros are tabbing Oklahoma prep right-hander Archie Bradley with their 11th overall pick. But what happens if he's not on the board at 11? Jonathan Mayo envisions a scenario where he lands with the Cubs, and that leaves the Astros with Connecticut righthander Matt Barnes.
↵↵↵11. Houston Astros: Matt Barnes, RHP, Connecticut
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Most of the buzz at this point is about pitchers, and Barnes would be a top-10 pick, if not top five, in another class that wasn't as deep in pitching.
The Crawfish Boxes wrote up an outstanding piece on Barnes as part of their pre-draft coverage, and they don't think he'll be the pick at 11:
↵↵↵There only chance will be with their first pick, and there's a solid chance that they may not even get the opportunity. If he is available, I doubt that Bobby Heck will be overly in love with him. Bobby Heck's pitcher profile tends to go with guys who are able to repeat mechanics and are more advanced with their changeup than their breaking ball.
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Sounds like a dud pick to me, Mr. Mayo. Bradley, Florida prep shortstop Francisco Lindor, and South Carolina prep righty Taylor Guerrieri look like the top few realistic options for the Astros first pick to me.
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