HOUSTON — The Houston Astros have improved their farm system from worst to near first in the last couple of years.

On Thursday night, they’ll have a chance to boost their young talent again when they pick first overall in the draft for the second consecutive year.

In 2012, they selected high school shortstop Carlos Correa with the No. 1 pick. This year they’ll look to add another top-tier player to help with their long-term rebuilding process.

General manager Jeff Luhnow said they have whittled their list to between three and eight players, but both he and scouting director Mike Elias insist they haven’t zeroed in on a choice yet.

Top prospects in this year’s group include Oklahoma pitcher Jonathan Gray and Stanford pitcher Mark Appel. Gray has been drafted twice before and Appel was taken eighth overall by the Pirates last season, but returned for his senior season after failing to work out a deal with the Pirates.