On Wednesday, Major League Baseball held its annual Rule 5 Draft, an event that allows teams to select eligible players from other organizations’ rosters, with a few exceptions. Players can be chosen in
either the major league or minor league phases, and while Rule 5 picks don’t always make a significant impact, the Astros have found success before, most notably with Marwin González in 2011. More information on the Rule 5 Draft can be found here. This year, the Astros selected three players, detailed below.
Roddery Munoz – RHP – Cincinatti
In the major league portion of the Rule 5 Draft, the Astros selected right-hander Roddery Munoz from the Reds. Munoz has moved through several organizations over the years, most recently pitching for the Cardinals’ Triple-A affiliate in 2025, where he posted a 3.28 ERA with 76 strikeouts in 57.2 innings. He also appeared in nine major league games in 2025, averaging around 96 mph with his fastball.
Trey McLoughlin – RHP – New York
In the minor league phase, the Astros selected right-hander Trey McLoughlin from the Mets. The 26-year-old spent 2025 in Double-A, posting a 3.91 ERA with 26 strikeouts in 23 innings out of the bullpen. He profiles as another relief option the Astros can plug into Corpus Christi or Sugar Land to add depth to their pitching staff.
Edwin Sanchez – OF – Los Angeles
The Astros’ final selection was outfielder Edwin Sanchez from the Dodgers system. The 21-year-old has spent four seasons in the organization but has yet to advance past the Dominican Summer League, despite posting impressive numbers, including an OPS over .900 in each of the last two years. His 2026 assignment is unclear, but he has consistently shown strong walk and strikeout rates to go along with the production.
Players Lost
Astros prospect Abel Mercedes was selected by the Athletics and is no longer in the organization. Mercedes is a flame-throwing right hander who struggles with command. In 2025 he had a 4.35 ERA in 41.1 innings in Single-A Fayetteville.
