Why Beau Peterson couldn't pass up signing with Houston Astros instead of playing at Texas

Growing up in the Kansas City area, Beau Peterson was a young Royals fan when the team reached back-to-back World Series in 2014 and '15. During the 2015 playoffs, Peterson said, his family made a trip to Houston to watch the Royals and Astros in the AL Division Series, his first time at then-Minute Maid Park.

Peterson was back in the building Saturday, now a recent Astros draft pick embarking on his professional career. The Astros selected Peterson, an infielder who turned 19 last month, from Mill Valley (Kan.) High School with the No. 133 overall pick in the fourth round of theJuly draft, paying a significantly over-slot bonus to sign him.

The Astros drafted Peterson, who was committed to University of Texas, with the compensation pick they received for Framber Valdez signing elsewhere as a qualified free agent and signed him for a reported $3 million bonus. Slot value for the No. 133 pick this year was $569,600.

Peterson, who attended Saturday's game against Arizona and watched batting practice on the field, said he neared the draft open-minded about taking the college or professional route. But he said the Astros showed steady interest, including a Zoom meeting last winter and contact in the week before the draft.

"We had a strong relationship and we were loyal to Texas and it was going to take a lot not to go there, and Houston came around and you can't pass up this opportunity," Peterson said. "You're playing for so much more than just chasing your dreams. And the goal is to win a World Series and become an All-Star, so the earlier you can start the better and I got that opportunity and can't thank the Lord enough."

Peterson, a left-handed hitter who played shortstop and pitched in high school, had some high-profile accolades on the prep circuit. In 2025, he won the MLB All-Star High School Home Run Derby that was held during All-Star week at Truist Park in Atlanta . He was named Gatorade's Kansas baseball player of the year this spring.

During the draft, Astros director of amateur scouting Cam Pendino said the team views Peterson as "a left-handed premium bat who's got power, he's got a real approach, made contact and performed over the summer." Pendino said the Astros project Peterson as a third baseman. Some third-party evaluators suggested before the draft that Peterson could end up in the corner outfield.

Peterson, who reported to the Astros' minor-league facility in West Palm Beach, Fla., after signing in late July, said he is working primarily at third base with some outfield reps. Peterson had hamate surgery on his right hand after the high school season and so is "just getting my feet back under me," he said. After his visit to Houston, he'll return to West Palm Beach for the start of instructional league camp.

The Astros selected four prep players in this year's draft and signed two - Peterson and third-round pick Keon Johnson, an infielder from Macon (Ga.) First Presbyterian. Peterson said he and Johnson knew each other through the travel ball circuit and are rooming together as they begin their professional journeys in West Palm Beach.

"I heard my name called (in the draft) and it's a dream come true," Peterson said, "and now the work really starts."