​With the 28th pick of the first round, the Houston Astros selected right-handed pitcher Jack Radel from Notre Dame. Radel distinguished himself as a durable workhorse and dependable innings-eater during his first two seasons at Notre Dame, and his junior year in 2026 marked a notable uptick in stuff, velocity, and strikeouts. He posted a 3.29 ERA over 15 starts and 87.2 innings, delivering a career-best 32.5% strikeout rate while maintaining excellent control. Throughout spring, Radel climbed draft boards, positioning him as a potential cornerstone for the Astros and creating a pathway to becoming the highest-drafted Notre Dame pitcher since Aaron Heilman went 18th overall in 2001. Heilman, who was also drafted 31st overall as a junior the year before but did not sign, provides a historical reference for Radel’s ceiling.
Physically, Radel stands 6-foot-5 and weighs 250 pounds, presenting a power pitcher’s frame. He generates downhill momentum with elite extension, and his fastball velocity jumped nearly two ticks in 2026, now sitting around 94 mph and reaching up to 98. He also demonstrates above-average command of his fastball. Radel’s repertoire is complemented by an impressive feel for locating a diverse array of secondary pitches, with his slider leading the way. The slider is a mid-80s breaking pitch with a gyro-shaped action that he throws with conviction to both right-handed and left-handed hitters. In addition, his third offering is an upper-80s cutter that gained prominence as a secondary pitch during his junior season. In 2026, Radel threw his fastball, slider, and cutter for strikes at least 70% of the time, underscoring his capability to attack hitters with a well-rounded, high-confidence approach.
Beyond his breaking stuff, Radel features a fourth and fifth pieces in his mix: an upper-80s changeup that he leverages against lefties and a 12-to-6 curveball hovering around 80 mph. This combination provides him with a four- to five-pitch arsenal that plays up due to his control and ability to command multiple offerings in the zone. Baseball America called him a high-probability starter with quality command and the potential to eat innings while confronting hitters with a deep, versatile mix.
From an organizational perspective, Radel vaults to the top of the Astros’ pitching prospect ranks in short order. His combination of projectable size, improved velocity, and advanced control makes him a compelling long-term asset for Houston’s rotation. With a durable frame, a starter-ready repertoire, and a track record of producing strikeouts while minimizing walks, Radel presents a clear pathway to becoming a reliable, innings-eating pitcher at the major league level.
As the Astros look ahead, Radel’s presence as the top pitching prospect in the system adds a dynamic element to the organization’s development plans. His ability to command three main pitches with consistency, paired with refined secondary offerings, situates him as a promising future contributor who can contribute meaningful innings early in his career and potentially anchor the rotation as he continues to refine his craft. Radel’s college performance, size, and velocity trajectory combine to make him a standout addition to Houston’s prospect ranks, and his upside as a left-beam-neutral right-hander with a robust four-pitch mix positions him as a cornerstone arm for the franchise’s long-term plans.