MLB Draft 2021: See Where The Houston Astros Pick

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, TX — Houston Astros fans can get a glimpse of what the future may hold with the 2021 MLB Draft beginning on Sunday.

They'll have to wait the longest to see the future of the franchise, though, because the Astros don't have a pick until the third round because of the sign-stealing scandal that came to light following the 2019 season and resulted in fines and loss of draft picks.

The Astros will make their first selection with the 87th pick in the draft, and will pick 19 times in the 20 rounds set for Sunday through Tuesday in Denver.

The Pittsburgh Pirates will select first in the draft, followed by the Texas Rangers, Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles.

Marcelo Mayer, a shortstop from Eastlake High School in California, is rated as the No. 1 draft prospect by MLB.com. Jack Leiter, a pitcher from Vanderbilt University and son of former New York Mets pitcher Al Leiter, and Jordan Lawlar, a shortstop from Jesuit College Prep in Texas, are the next highest-rated draft prospects.

Aside from the Astros stocking up for the future, baseball fans in Houston and Montgomery County may recognize the names of some players who will be selected from college and high school.

The draft’s top prospects are scattered across the country. There's some Houston flair near the top of the draft board as former Cypress Ranch teammates Ty Madden and Colton Cowser, who went to Texas and Sam Houston State, respectively, are the ninth- and 10th-ranked prospects, according to MLB.com. Also, Friendswood High School senior third baseman Izaac Pacheco is ranked No. 30.

Right-handed pitcher Caedmon Parker, a senior at The Woodlands Christian, is the 110th-ranked prospect.

Another prospect with nearby ties is Tomball Memorial alumnus and Texas Tech outfielder Dru Baker (190th).