(SportsRadio 610) - The Houston Astros have selected outfielder Drew Gilbert with the 28th overall pick in the first round.
Gilbert, 21, a left-handed hitting and throwing center fielder, slashed .262/.455/.673 (1.128 OPS) with 21 doubles, four triples, 11 homers, and 70 RBI in 58 games for the Tennessee Volunteers this season. He also walked 33 times this season, compared to just 32 strikeouts. Gilbert was an All-SEC First Team selection and was also named to the All-SEC Defensive Team.
The Astros also selected outfielder Jacob Melton from Oregon State University with the 64th overall selection (second round). They picked right-handed pitcher Andrew Taylor from Central Michigan with 80th overall selection, a compensation pick received for the loss of shortstop Carlos Correa in free agency.
Day 2 of the draft is set for Monday at 1 p.m. CT and feature rounds 3-10. Day 3 is set for Tuesday and will feature rounds 11-20.
Following the 2022 MLB Draft, the deadline for teams to sign their draft picks is Aug. 1.