2010 MLB Draft Grade: Houston Astros, Day Three, Rounds 31-50 (A)

For the Houston Astros, the third day of Major League Baseball’s 2010 First-Year Player Draft began around noon ET on Wednesday, June 9 (with a plethora of picks from rounds 31-50), before finally concluding around 5 p.m. ET.

So how did Houston score in the last day of the draft?

Overall, I’d give them an A for day three.

Not only did the Astros continue picking pitchers to revamp their farm system, but they also chose smartly by focusing on college seniors—at least with a handful of their first picks on day three—with proven talent and experience

Along with that seniority comes an easier opportunity to sign with the team, and that’s something Houston baseball fans will be happy to hear.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the remainder of the Astros picks in this year’s draft, beginning with No. 933 in the 31st round and concluding in the 50th and final round:

Round 31, No. 933—Travis Blankenship, LHP, University of Kansas (Senior).

Round 32, No. 963—William Chrismon, RHP, Menchville High School.

Round 33, No. 993—Michael Ness, RHP, Duke University (Senior).

Round 34, No. 1023—Ryan Cole, RHP, St. Johns University (Senior).

Round 35, No. 1053—Esteban Gomez, 1B, Bishop Ford Central Catholic High School.

Round 36, No. 1083—Ryan Halstead, RHP, Los Osos High School.

Round 37, No. 1113—Brian Streilein, RHP, Villanova University (Senior).

Round 38, No. 1143—Ryan Ford, 1B, Plano West Senior High School.

Round 39, No. 1173—Krishawn Holley, RHP, Mid Carolina High School.

Round 40, No. 1203—Jeremiah Meiners, LHP, Francis Marion University (Senior).

Round 41, No. 1233—Bryce Lane, RF, Gulf Coast Community College (J2).

Round 42, No. 1263—Paul Gerrish, RHP, Texas Christian University (Senior).

Round 43, No. 1293—DeMarcus Henderson, SS, Wayne County High School.

Round 44, No. 1323—Alexis Garza, RHP, McAllen High School.

Round 45, No. 1353—Ian Vazquez, SS, Perkiomen High School.

Round 46, No. 1383—Lawrence Pardo, LHP, Christopher Columbus High School.

Round 47, No. 1413—Joseph Carcone, SS, New Hartford High School.

Round 48, No. 1443—Thomas Pecoraro, RHP, Half Hallow Hills West High School.

Round 49, No. 1473—Kenny Diaz, C, Colegio Angel David High School.

Round 50, No. 1503—David Donald, CF, JL Mann High School.

Although I’m not going to rundown Houston’s final 20 picks of this summer’s MLB Draft, in terms of brief scouting reports, be on the lookout for a complete list of the team’s draftees—along with a closer look at the positional breakdown of the players they picked up—in the coming days (or sooner) on Bleacher Report.

And I will say this: the Astros appear to have made some solid selections on the last day of the 2010 draft.

Hopefully all three days of tough decisions and choices will result in a much-improved farm system, as well as a future with the Houston Astros, once again, being contenders in the majors.

From—at least what some will call—round one risks, to solid selections on day two, to a concrete conclusion on day three, Houston is heading in the right direction.

It may take a few years to truly see the picks begin paying dividends, but one thing is certain: the Astros are intent on building towards the future.

And they took all the right first steps in this summer’s First-Year Player Draft.

Houston may not currently be leaders in the National League Central, or MLB in general, but looking ahead, things absolutely look bright for the Astros.

As long as they can sign, seal, and deliver what fans are longing to see: a winning ball club returning to Minute Maid Park.

So far, so good.

Let’s see what the future holds… 

Denton Ramsey may be reached via email at [e-mail]

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