HOUSTON, TX – The Houston Astros have officially signed three members of their 2022 MLB Draft class tonight, including their first and second-round selections OF Drew Gilbert and OF Jacob Melton. Additionally, the Astros signed their ninth-round pick today: RHP Brett Gillis. The announcement was made by Astros Director of Scouting Kris Gross.
Gilbert signed today and will report this week to the Astros Spring Training Complex in West Palm Beach, FL. Following his minor league season, the Astros will bring Gilbert to Minute Maid Park for a formal introduction with the media.
Selected out of the University of Tennessee, Gilbert, 21, a left-handed hitting and throwing center fielder, hit .362 (72x199) with 21 doubles, four triples, 11 homers, 70 RBI, a .673 SLG, a .455 OBP and a 1.128 OPS in 58 games for the Volunteers this season. He also walked 33 times this season, compared to just 32 strikeouts. An All-SEC First Team selection, he was also named to the All-SEC Defensive Team.
Melton, 21, also a left-handed hitting outfielder, hit .360 (94x261) with 22 doubles, four triples, 17 home runs, 83 RBI, a .424 OBP, a .671 SLG and a 1.094 OPS in 63 games for the Oregon State Beavers this season. Melton was named the Pac-12 Player of the Year this season and a Perfect Game First-Team All-American selection.
The Astros have signed 11 of their 21 selections from the 2022 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.The deadline for teams to sign their draft picks is Aug. 1.