The Houston Astros played the long game with their first-round selection in the 2025 MLB Draft, selecting high school third baseman Xavier Neyens. There was some surprise with the selection, given that there was an expectation that the Astros could be targeting a college bat. However, when looking at where things stand with the Astros at the Major League level, it was a worthwhile gamble for the Astros to go the high school route.
Cam Smith's meteoric rise to the Major League level this season after being drafted by the Cubs in the first round last season is an example of the accelerated timeline first-round college bats have upon being drafted.