Growing up, he pictured his life in navy and teal. But when the first round of the 2025 MLB Draft was over, an unexpected pitch came in. And just like that, the 18-year-old’s next chapter will take place in Houston. Now, he will wear Astros orange instead of the Pacific Northwest colors. When asked about the turn of events, his response can only be defined as bold.

With the No. 21 pick, the Astros made a statement by passing over college talent. After Kyle Tucker, they picked up their first high school position player in ten years. Raw power and size sealed the deal. Enter Xavier Neyens, a 6’4” high school hitter ready for the H-Town’s Finest.

After the news broke, he candidly shared his thoughts. Neyens grew up an hour north of Seattle as a Mariners fan. When asked about the Astros, he said: “I know they whip the Mariners every year in the AL West…. I know they always run the West.” It was both a joke and a cold, hard fact. A childhood fan becomes a competitor and delivers a knockout punch.

As the AL West is home to the Astros and Mariners, both teams share a divisional rivalry. Seattle’s last few seasons have been all over the place, but Houston has mostly stayed at the top.

But what really pushed the Astros to hit the big red button on him? He is a left-handed-hitting shortstop. Last year, he hit about .456, eight home runs, drove in 27 runs, and scored 49 times. With him on the roster, his high school team won its first state championship in school history. Now, as he steps towards making a name in MLB, scouting director Cam Pendino knows, “he’s got a chance to be a decent outfielder.”

Neyens’ potential became real on the draft night. He said, “I’m going to do whatever it takes to win all the time,” and his eyes lit up. However, on an interesting note, he wasn’t the only bright pick for the Houston Astros in the MLB Draft 2025.

Astros load up on LSU’s power hitter, Ethan Frey

In the first round of the MLB draft, Neyens wasn’t the only one whom the Astros added to their roster. They picked LSU star Ethan Frey at No. 95 in Round 3. With that pick, they added even more potential to their pro pipeline. On one hand, Neyens gave Houston’s plans raw prep potential, on the other, Frey supplied polished college production, and a lot of power.

Frey, a 6-foot-6 slugger, hit .331/.420/.641 this season at LSU, hitting 13 home runs and driving in 50 runs in the regular season and the College World Series. He became LSU’s main DH after recovering from shoulder surgery in 2024. He was praised for his plate discipline and imposing frame, which the Astros think might work in either the corner outfield or the batter’s box in Houston.

Houston’s selection of Neyens and Frey showcases a blend of youthful potential and college-ready performance. Neyens, picked 21st overall, has great bat speed and versatility on the left side. Meanwhile, Frey offers mature power and a strong track record in key games, aligning with the Astros’ draft strategy.

Houston’s double selection shows that there are other ways to develop a team than depending on Round 1. Adding Frey at 95 makes their system deeper and more flexible. It’s not just about the headlines. It’s about building up a team with tools and talent during the draft. The Astros are in it for the long haul.