2025 MLB draft: Rockies take Texas outfielder Max Belyeu with 74th overall pick

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Hitting at altitude is a ballplayer’s dream, and if Max Belyeu works his way up the ladder, he could be swatting homers at a mile high.

The Colorado Rockies selected Belyeu with the No. 74 overall pick Sunday in the MLB First-Year Player Draft in Atlanta. Belyeu, who had a thumb injury that derailed what was primed to be another huge offensive season, was the only Texas Longhorn taken in the opening three rounds.

The estimated signing bonus for the pick, known as the slot value, is $1.11 million. Teams have until July 28 to sign their draft picks or else they’ll lose the player’s draft rights.

Belyeu played 32 games in 2025, missing most of the Southeastern Conference games after injuring his thumb diving for a fly ball against Missouri in late March. He was the Big 12 player of the year in 2024, smashing 18 home runs with a 1.090 OPS, playing a full season at 59 games. In his abbreviated 2025, he hit nine home runs with a .986 OPS.

MLB Pipeline ranked Belyeu as the No. 34 prospect before the draft, giving him above-average grades in power and throwing. The scouting service called Belyeu, “One of the best all-around offensive players in the college crop.”

“Belyeu can hit for average and power while controlling the strike zone, though he was more aggressive than usual in 2025,” the report said. “He has a quick left-handed swing geared for hard contact, showing the ability to pull pitches for home runs or backspin them out of the park to the opposite field.”

The report knocked Belyeu hitting off-speed pitches, citing times with the Team USA National Collegiate Team and Cape Cod League as periods of struggles. His great arm from the outfield should make him “a nice fit” in right field at the big league level, the report concluded.

With Belyeu’s selection, a Texas player has been selected in every MLB draft since it began in 1965.

The second day of the draft, which includes rounds 4-20, begins at 10:30 a.m. CDT Monday. Several other Longhorns, including catcher Rylan Galvan, pitcher Jared Spencer and infielder Jalin Flores, are expected to be drafted.