Astros top prospect and Hooks outfielder Drew Gilbert continues to impress

Drew Gilbert doesn't feel any added pressure of being the Houston Astros No. 1 prospect.

In fact, the former Tennessee Volunteers baseball star embraces it.

Gilbert, who wears No. 1 and was drafted in Round No. 1 as the 28th overall pick by the Astros in 2022, has backed up the noise surrounding his name by breezing through A-ball and getting off to an impressive start with the Hooks in Double-A.

"It's cool," Gilbert said. "Anyone who says they don't see it is lying. I see it but at the end of the day, it doesn't mean much to me. At the end of the day, I'm not where I want to be and that's probably going to be my mindset for the rest of my career. There's always something to get better at... It's cool but I have a job to do at the end of the day."

Gilbert joined the Hooks from the Single-A Asheville Tourists on May 8 and has garnered 40 hits in 120 at-bats with six home runs and 23 RBI during the 2023 minor league season.

Gilbert, who is from St. Paul, Minnesota, said he is still trying to make adjustments during his first year in Texas and hopes to improve his game even more as the season progresses into the dog days of summer.

"It's been a short few months and I'm trying to learn and make adjustments as fast as possible," Gilbert said. "At the end of the day, we're all trying to make it to the big leagues as fast as we can. I think for me, it's just trying to be present on a day-to-day basis and realize I still have a lot to learn and make adjustments."

Gilbert was a standout pitcher and outfielder at Tennessee and compiled accolades that could fill a book.

Some of the notable awards he received included being named All-SEC first-team, a first-team selection on the National Collegiate Baseball Writers All-American team and an SEC Tournament MVP.

Gilbert hit a team-best .362 in his final collegiate season with 11 home runs and 70 RBI in 199 at-bats.

"Tennessee has shaped me in a lot of different ways," Gilbert said. "I was able to do a lot in three years and compete at a high level in those three years. I think it gets you ready for what's to come with that level of competition. There's always somebody coming for you, no matter how well or bad you're doing. You better be ready to get after it."

Astros and Hooks fans caught a glimpse of what Houston's lineup could look like in the future when second baseman Jose Altuve played two rehab games this past week in Corpus Christi.

Atluve led off in both games with Gilbert following in the No. 2 spot.

Gilbert said being in an organization with a winning tradition, including a 2022 World Series championship, has helped him learn more about what it takes to win at the next level and help prepare him for a future promotion to Triple-A or the major leagues.

Gilbert was invited to spring training with the major league team before the season and used the opportunity to dig more into players' minds and ask questions to learn more about the game.

"Just being around these guys and getting to learn a lot from them during spring training has been fun," Gilbert said. "I've been able to learn a lot since they have been around the organization a lot longer than I have, and it's a really good opportunity. The competition is also better at each level you go to, so there's always a chance to learn something new."

Gilbert is no stranger to winning after helping Tennessee capture two regional championships and reach the 2021 College World Series with a 50-18 record.

Gilbert said he hopes to replicate that success as a member of the Astros organization, and hopefully win a World Series on the biggest stage in baseball.

"My whole life, the only thing I've really cared about is winning," Gilbert said. "I'd love to win a World Series because it's been a dream of mine. That's something I will always be working towards and a main goal in my career."

This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Astros top prospect Drew Gilbert continues to impress with Hooks