Houston Astros Secure Third-Straight No. 1 Overall Pick

Jun 8, 2013; Raleigh, NC, USA; North Carolina State pitcher Carlos Rodon (16) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Rice Owls in the Raleigh super regional of the 2013 NCAA baseball tournament at Doak Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

The Houston Astros are becoming a juggernaut in the least publicized race of each September. Through their commitment to sheer ineptitude, their insatiable will to lose, the Astros have been world beaters in the race for the No. 1 overall pick of the MLB Draft.

Houston was on it’s A-game last night, falling 12-0 to the Texas Rangers for their 10th consecutive loss. What a way to clinch the worst record in baseball. They will have the first overall pick for a record third-straight season.

Congratulations?

Truth is, this is exactly the game plan for the Astros. The team gutted most of its roster in 2011 before new ownership came in later that year and made the most committed rebuilding effort baseball’s probably ever seen.

At one point, the Astros had one of the worst Major League teams in the game and the weakest farm system simultaneously. Now, well, the farm’s looking pretty darn good.

Houston managed to snag prospects from other organizations while trading away its veterans. The additions of No. 1 picks Carlos Correa and Mark Appel, along with other draftees, have also given the Astros’ future a brighter outlook. Still, three-straight years with 100 losses is pretty tough to look at.

The consensus No. 1 overall talent in the draft is Carlos Rodon, a left-handed pitcher who averaged 12.5 K/9 as a Sophomore this season at North Carolina State. Much like Appel, Rodon isn’t expected to need much seasoning in the minor leagues. If the Astros go with Rodon, it won’t be long before they have a pair of 1:1 pitchers in their big league rotation.

With that in mind, it’s tough to argue against Houston’s orchestrated run of futility. Major League Baseball is clearly giving teams incentive to lose, both in the draft and on the international market. You have to wonder if things might change sometime soon, and maybe a draft lottery is implemented.

For now at least, the Astros will continue their reign as the best “winners” of the top pick in the draft. With all that talent stockpiled, who knows what will happen next year? Maybe the Astros will ditch their losing ways and fall out of the picture for the top spot in the draft.

Or maybe in 2015.