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The Houston Astros have, in recent years, had one of the weakest farm systems in all of Major League Baseball. While there are some intriguing prospects, it's not a top group anymore.
And, even without making a trade or roster move, the Astros' farm system is getting a bit weaker. 2024 13th-round pick Bryce Boettcher, an outfielder out of Oregon, is putting his baseball career on hold for a very interesting reason.
As Sam Warren of the Houston Chronicle shared from the NFL Scouting Combine, Boettcher revealed that he's putting his baseball career on hold to focus on the NFL Combine and the NFL Draft.
Astros prospect puts baseball career 'on hold' to focus on NFL journey
"That's on hold right now, I'm pursuing football right now, and I want to win a Super Bowl," Boettcher said. "Yeah, they've been super supportive. Obviously, waiting to see how the draft shakes out. But, they've been super understanding. I'm from Oregon and wanted to finish out my football career there, and understand I have a cool opportunity in football."
#Astros prospect Bryce Boettcher said his baseball career is “on hold” and he’s pursuing only football right now at the NFL Combine.
He said Houston has been very supportive of his football pursuits and that they will talk about his future after April’s draft. pic.twitter.com/IPNw7aQoVb
Boettcher is an outfielder for the Astros' farm system who was drafted in 2024, but hasn't played for Houston in the minor leagues just yet.
His last season at Oregon was a solid one, hitting .276 with an .872 OPS and 12 home runs and seven doubles on 53 hits across 192 at-bats in 56 games.
Boettcher is putting his baseball career on hold as he pursues a job in the NFL. He's at the NFL Scouting Combine, where players can show off in front of teams, and for Boettcher, prove he's worthy of being selected in the 2026 NFL Draft.
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The Senior linebacker out of Oregon is 6-foot-0, 227 pounds. Boettcher led the conference in assisted tackles with 80 and finished the year with 136 total tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, one sack, one interception, six passes defended, and two forced fumbles in 2025.
According to his NFL.com Draft Prospect Profile, he has a 5.98 Prospect Grade, which translates to an average backup or a special teamer in the NFL.
He might not be a superstar NFL prospect, but such a player is worthy of being drafted, and he could go on Day 3 of the NFL Draft and become a core special teamer and quality backup defender in the NFL.
Boettcher's future in the NFL and the Astros' farm system is up in the air, as the Oregon dual-sport athlete, who's already been drafted once in the MLB Draft, is looking to be taken in the NFL Draft in April as he pursues a career in football as well as baseball.
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