HOUSTON -- The Astros, who didn’t have a pick in the first or second rounds of the MLB Draft, signed their top selection on Wednesday -- outfielder Tyler Whitaker from Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas. He was taken with the No. 87 overall pick, which came in the third round.
The Astros see Whitaker as a five-tool player who can impact the game offensively and defensively. They’re enamored perhaps the most by his power. He hit .508 with five homers and 21 RBIs in 18 games this year at Bishop Gorman and ranked 37th on MLB.com’s Top Draft prospect list. He also earned Gatorade state high school player of the year honors. Initially a shortstop, the 6-foot-4, 190-pound Whitaker moved to third base and then to the outfield.
“It’s just another stepping stone,” Whitaker said Wednesday at Minute Maid Park after signing. “The sooner I’m here, the better. This is one big leap in my career, and I can’t wait for the next one."
Whitaker received a signing bonus of $1.5 million, according to MLB.com’s Jim Callis, which was more than double the $689,300 slot value for the 87th pick. He had signed to play baseball at the University of Arizona, but will instead report to Florida on Thursday to begin his professional career.
“He’ll be out on the field hopefully by Friday,” Astros scouting director Kris Gross said.
The Astros have signed 16 of their 19 Draft picks, along with eight undrafted free agents. Among the Draft picks to recently sign are seventh-rounder Joey Loperfido (outfielder), 11th-rounder Chad Stevens (shortstop) and 13th-rounder Kobe Kato (infielder).