With their first-round pick in the 2025 MLB draft, the Houston Astros selected shortstop Xavier Neyens at No. 21 overall out of Mount Vernon High School in Mount Vernon, Wash. Originally committed to play for Oregon State collegiately, he plans on forgoing that commitment to begin his professional career with the Astros.

Astros move away from recent trend of college players in first round for a left-handed hitting shortstop from Washington

Michael Shapiro is a sports reporter for Chron, covering the Astros, Rockets, Texans and every team in town. Michael is a Denver native and graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, and a noted fan of pull-up threes, wide-receiver passes and a good hot fudge sundae.

There are risks that come with those selections, since high schoolers can ultimately decide to play in college instead of starting their professional journey immediately. Whether the Astros were trying to avoid that possibility or simply were targeting players who they felt could impact winning the most coming out of college,