Houston selects four pitchers and an infielder in the Triple A phase of today’s draft
DALLAS, TX – The Houston Astros announced today that they have made five selections in the minor league portion of the Rule 5 Draft. The team selected right-handed pitchers Julio Rodriguez, Jean Pinto, and Anderson Bido, shortstop Jack Blomgren, and left-handed pitcher Nick Swiney. The Astros did not lose any players in the Major League or minor league portions of the Rule 5 Draft.
Julio Rodriguez
Rodriguez, 24, was selected from the Giants system, where he combined to go 5-0 with a 3.48 ERA (21 ER/54.1 IP) in 38 relief appearances across three levels in 2024. He spent most of his year at Class A Eugene, making 24 appearances, and also saw action at the Double-A (12 games) and Triple-A (2 games) levels. A Cuban native, Rodriguez has spent his first seven professional years (2018-24) in the Giants organization.
Jean Pinto
Pinto, 23, made 22 appearances, including 17 starts, in the Orioles minor league system in 2024, combining for a 3-2 record with a 3.10 ERA (28 ER/81.1 IP). He held opponents to a .229 average while striking out 101 batters in 81.1 innings. Pinto pitched at the Class A (13 games) and Double-A (9 games) levels, finishing his year with Double-A Bowie. He was originally signed out of Venezuela by the Angels in 2019 and has spent the last three seasons in the Orioles minor league system.
Anderson Bido
Bido, 25, was selected from the Rockies organization, where he split his season between the Class A and Double-A levels, posting a 3.29 ERA (14 ER/38.1 IP) in 25 appearances. He finished his season at Double-A Hartford with a 2.82 ERA (7 ER/22.1 IP) in 13 appearances. A native of the Dominican Republic, Bido was originally signed by the Rockies as an international free agent in 2017.
Jack Blomgren
Blomgren, 26, hit .279 with 10 extra-base hits and an .829 OPS in 34 games in the Rockies minor league system in 2024. He spent the majority of his season at Class A Spokane, appearing in 31 games. A middle infielder, Blomgren was originally a fifth-round pick by the Rockies in the 2020 MLB Draft.
Nick Swiney
Swiney, 25, spent the entire 2024 season at Double-A Richmond in the Giants organization, going 4-2 with a 5.25 ERA (42 ER/72 IP) in 41 appearances, including two starts. He was originally selected by the Giants in the second round (67th overall) of the 2020 MLB Draft out of NC State.
