Walker

Janek

It’s a full-slot deal for Janek, who gets $3.132 million from the Astros as the 28th overall selection in the 2024 MLB Draft. The 21-year-old backstop out of Sam Houston State projects as more of a defensive specialist, thanks to an above-average throwing arm, than an impact fantasy contributor down the road.

Janek was named the Buster Posey Award winner as the best catcher in college baseball after hitting 17 homers with a 1.185 OPS over 58 games with the Bearkats. The right-handed hitting backstop doesn’t possess a plus tool offensively -- although he does have one behind the plate with a strong throwing arm -- but he projects at least average in his average and power tools, and that can be useful for a prospect at his position. Janek is a better real-life prospect than a fantasy one, but there’s some potential for the latter if only because he has a chance to be an everyday player.