Houston Astros select Tennessee outfielder Drew Gilbert in 2022 MLB Draft

While the MLB Draft may be about selecting players to develop throughout the farm system, the Astros have just selected one of the best hitters in college baseball. With the 28th overall pick, Houston took Tennessee Volunteers outfielder Drew Gilbert, the first from this season’s No. 1 team.

Gilbert was near the top in the SEC when it came to hitting, helping the Volunteers stay at the top of the standings for a majority of the season. He hit cleanup for head coach Tony Vitello, having a .362 average while hitting 11 home runs and driving in 72 RBIs.

Houston has a recent history of hitting on their first-round picks, mainly under their last general manager. Players such as Alex Bregman, Carlos Correa, and George Springer are perennial MLB All-Stars, helping the franchise make deep playoff runs, plus a World Series ring.

Now, the hope is Gilbert will be next up. The left-handed batter is joining a franchise that is rich in outfielders thanks to their development. Houston will be a perfect place for him to begin and hopefully complete his journey into the Major Leagues. A stint in the minor leagues will come first but the potential is there.

Gilbert being selected was also part of a common trend on Sunday night — players involved with SEC programs being selected. Whether it was players who were in the conference this past season or committed to play there, the SEC cleaned up in the draft.

Especially a program like Tennessee, which was the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament. Gilbert was a huge part of their success and not just in the batter’s box. He also served as the program’s center fielder, having a 99.1 fielding percentage. Additionally, Gilbert only committed one error. A steady hand out there the Astros will be hoping they can continue to develop.