Houston Astros pick Jack Radel in 2026 Draft

Radel’s College Career

Jack Radel dominated the ACC in his final year at Notre Dame, posting 87.2 innings with 116 strikeouts and a 3.29 ERA. Over three seasons he logged 211 innings and a 3.71 ERA, earning First Team All‑ACC honors for 2026. His junior season also earned him ACC Pitcher of the Week recognition twice and placed him on multiple All‑America squads.

Additional accolades include a Third Team All‑American nod from D1Baseball and Perfect Game, a spot on the ABCA/Rawlings Midwest All‑Region First Team, and a role on the ACC Championship All‑Tournament Team. Radel also made the Golden Spikes Award midseason watch list, showing early buzz as a future top prospect.

Draft Night Details

The Astros selected Radel with the 28th overall pick, the 28th pick in the first round. Houston entered the draft with the 29th‑ranked farm system according to MLB Pipeline, giving them incentive to strengthen their pitching depth. Radel’s addition comes as the Astros sit at 46‑50, three games behind the AL West lead and 1.5 games out of a Wild Card spot.

His selection continues a proud run for Sioux Falls Roosevelt, following Marcus Phillips’ 33rd‑overall pick by Boston in the previous year. Both Phillips and Radel grew up together on a little‑league team that reached the 2017 Williamsport tournament, highlighting the local talent pipeline.

What This Means for Houston

Radel’s upside lies in his ability to throw nearly 90 innings at a sub‑4 ERA while generating strikeouts, traits the Astros have chased after recent bullpen struggles. His professional debut could come in the Astros’ minor league system later in the season, where his work ethic and command could blend with Houston’s existing rotation prospects. The pick signals Houston’s focus on adding a potential future starter who can help a rebuilding roster compete for postseason spots.