With the 28th overall selection in the 2024 MLB Draft, the Houston Astros select Sam Houston catcher Walker Janek.
Janek, one of the top rater catchers in college baseball this past season, was the first catcher at either the college or prep level to come off the board in tonight’s first round.
Janek played three seasons for the Bearkats in Huntsville as the Portland, Texas native finished with a .326 career batting average, 205 hits, 36 doubles, 6 triples, and 37 HR to go along with 156 RBI in his career. Defensively, he finished with a .987 fielding percentage.
He was the recipient of the 2024 Buster Posey Award, given to the top catcher in college baseball. He was named the Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year and was rated as the 23rd prospect by MLB.com.
The slot value for the 28th pick is $3,132,500.