Houston Astros selects Sam Houston State catcher Walker Janek in 2024 MLB Draft

One of the top catcher prospects in the 2024 MLB draft is officially on his way to the pros. Former Sam Houston State standout Walker Janek is on his way to the major leagues after being drafted by the Houston Astros.

Janek spent three years at Sam Houston State perfecting his craft. While he is listed as a catcher, starting 147 of his collegiate games there, he has also played second and third base a handful of times, showing off his speed and dexterity.

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Last season, Janek did it all for Sam Houston State in terms of his performance in the batter’s box. The 21-year-old righty from Portland, TX, finished 2024 with a batting average of 0.364 and an OPS of 1.185 in 271 plate appearances. Janek was credited with 220 at-bats in 58 games, registering 80 hits, 58 RBIs, 17 home runs, and stole 13 bases. He was walked forty times last season; however, that was a near wash given that he struck out 45 times on the plate.

What experts are saying about Janek

Janek was one of this year’s top prospects entering into the 2024 MLB Draft, coming in at No. 24, according to MLB.com. From what they’ve seen of the young, talented catcher, he has all the tools at the plate and behind it to make an impact in the pros.

“After drawing little interest from pro teams or major college programs as a Texas high schooler, Janek has developed into arguably the 2024 Draft’s best catching prospect after three years at Sam Houston,” says MLB.com. “His stock surged at the 2023 Karbach Classic, where he went 5-for-13 with a pair of doubles, squared up a 97-mph fastball from Louisiana State’s Chase Shores and backpicked a runner. He continued to impress in the Cape Cod League last summer and played his way into first-round consideration this spring while winning the Buster Posey Award as college baseball’s top catcher.”

“With impressive bat speed and good strength, Janek creates plus raw power that translates into average game pop with most of his home runs driven to his pull side. While he’s an aggressive right-handed hitter who looks to launch balls and frequently chases pitches out of the strike zone, he’s showing more patience and doing a better job of using the entire field in 2024. Though he has below-average speed, he runs better than most catchers and will steal bases if opponents don’t keep him honest.”

“Conference USA’s 2024 Defensive Player of the Year, Janek is agile behind the plate and does a nice job framing pitches. He can get lackadaisical with his receiving, which grades as merely average until he cleans it up. He controls the running game with his plus arm strength and quick release.”