When the Houston Astros called Walker Janek’s name with the 28th pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, it looked like a savvy move-one that could pay off big down the line. Janek wasn’t just a local product from Sam Houston State; he was widely regarded as the top catching prospect in his class.
Scouts loved the defensive upside, praised his contact skills, and saw enough pop in the bat to project at least average power. On paper, he checked all the boxes.
But as we know, the jump from college ball to the pros can be a rude awakening, and Janek’s first taste of the minors proved that. In his debut stint at High-A Asheville, he struggled mightily, slashing just .175/.214/.289 over 25 games. That’s not the kind of start that turns heads, but it’s also not unusual for a young catcher adjusting to the grind of pro ball.
Fast forward to the following year, and there were signs of life. Janek returned to Asheville and looked more comfortable, posting a .766 OPS.
He showed off his athleticism with 30 stolen bases-eye-popping for a catcher-and flashed the tools that made him a first-round pick. But the strikeouts were still a red flag, with a 26.6% K-rate that hinted at some underlying swing-and-miss issues.
Despite those mixed results, Janek still holds the No. 3 spot in Houston’s farm system. That’s a testament to his raw talent, but it also underscores the fact that he hasn’t fully put it together yet.
After three years of college ball, the Astros were likely hoping for a more polished product. So they sent him to the Arizona Fall League-a proving ground for prospects on the cusp.
Janek came out of the gates hot in the AFL, but as the competition stiffened, his bat cooled off. The strikeouts crept back in, and he wrapped up the showcase with a .241/.288/.481 line. Not a disaster by any means-there’s some pop in that slugging percentage-but it wasn’t the convincing performance that might’ve silenced the doubters.
Still, the Astros aren’t blinking. In fact, they just made a move that speaks volumes about where they stand on Janek. By trading away Jancel Villarroel in the deal that brought in right-hander Kai-Wei Teng, Houston cleared the runway for Janek to take the next step.
Villarroel was no throw-in. He ranked 13th in the Astros’ prospect rankings and brought some intriguing versatility to the table.
The 21-year-old had logged innings at just about every position outside of shortstop and pitcher, but he was primarily a catcher. He spent most of 2025 at Single-A Fayetteville before joining Janek in Asheville late in the year.
Statistically, Villarroel wasn’t far off from Janek. He posted a .739 OPS across two levels and showed a more refined approach at the plate, walking more and striking out less. He’s also nearly two years younger, which makes the comparison even more interesting.
But the Astros made their choice. With other catching prospects further down the pipeline-or, in the case of Will Bush, not likely to stick behind the plate-Houston’s decision to move Villarroel signals a clear vote of confidence in Janek.
That confidence could be tied to the bigger picture behind the plate. Yainer Diaz has emerged as a key piece at catcher for the Astros, but the long-term outlook is still evolving.
If Diaz eventually shifts to a different role or position, Houston will need someone ready to step in. Right now, Janek is the closest to that next-man-up role.
All signs point to Janek spending the bulk of 2026 at Double-A Corpus Christi. It’s a pivotal year for the 23-year-old-a chance to prove he’s more than just tools and potential. The Astros are betting big on his development, and this season could go a long way in determining whether that bet pays off.
The talent is there. The opportunity is there. Now it’s on Janek to seize it.