Zach Daniels providing optimism for the Astros future

Photo Credit: USA Today Sports

In the 2020 MLB Draft, the Houston Astros selected a talented outfielder from the University of Tennessee with the 131st overall pick in, Zach Daniels. Over the last few years, Daniels has seen his value rise due to his power. However, he has had a unique journey beginning with the draft process.

“ I was picked in the 2020 Covid Draft, so it was definitely different than most drafts,” Daniels said. “ It was a crazy process with the season getting shut down. I only played, I think, 16 to 18 games. I was up in Tennessee when I got drafted; teams were going under slot by a lot, so I was playing it by ear. I was blessed to be drafted by the Astros.”

Since starting his professional career, Daniels has proven to be worth the investment. In 2021, he hit nine home runs in 85 games. A year later the Georgia native hit 23 home runs and drove in 64 runs in his first taste of High-A baseball. Regardless of the level, he has shown the ability to make adjustments.

“ I feel like level by level you have to get better,” said Daniels.” Pitchers are able to locate more pitches in the zone as you move up. Having more of a plan and approach for that has helped me a lot so far in my career.”

Due to his approach, Daniels ended the 2023 campaign in Double-A. While his power continued to be a strength, Daniels was able to cut down on strikeouts. His success has partly been due to the work he has put in since being drafted.

"The Astros are big on analytics," said Daniels." Especially when I first got drafted. Being able to put the science behind the baseball swing helped maximize my athleticism towards a more baseball type swing. It was kind of meant to be with how I was a raw prospect coming in, and they helped me fine-tune things. That helped me hit the ground running."

As Daniels prepares for the 2024 season, the expectations are higher than ever before. The 24-year-old is ranked as the Astros 19th-best prospect by MLB.com. However, regardless of the level, Daniels will rely on the advice he received in college.

“ They told me just continue to work hard,” said Daniels. “ Never take what you have already done for granted because that doesn’t matter. Always being ready to turn the next page regardless of the result and go from there.”

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