The 2006 draft has been described by many as a significantly down year for top talent. Many of this year’s first round picks would have expected to go in the second round or later last year. Be that as it may the Astros came in with a first round pick for the second year in a row. Last year they took left-handed pitcher Brian Bogusevic with their first pick. This year the Astros brain trust talked about wanting to add more lefty hitters and pitchers.
Prior to the draft the Astros added three players to their minor league total. They signed Ryan Owens from the Citadel as a fifth year senior free agent. Owens, a left-handed pitcher threw 96 innings allowing 105 hits, 47 earned runs, 41 walks, and struck out 82. He finished the season with a 4.41 ERA. Also, the Astros signed two DFE draftees from last year. Andrew Darnell, round 35, hit .386 in 176 at-bats. He recorded 68 hits, 19 doubles, 1 triple, and 13 home runs. He walked 20 times and struck out 33 times. Reid Kelly, round 33, threw 83.2 innings allowing 70 hits, 20 earned runs, and 35 walks while striking out 70. He finished the season with a 2.15 ERA.
The Astros drafted a solid mix of pitchers and position players. In all they drafted 6 catchers, 2 first basemen, 1 second baseman, 4 third basemen, 5 shortstops, 12 outfielders, 13 right-handed pitchers, and 7 left-handed pitchers. Now, let’s have a look at them.
1st Round: Maxwell “Max” Sapp; C; L/R; 6’2″, 220; DOB 2/21/1988; Bishop Moore High School, Florida.
As mentioned Paul Ricciarini, senior director of player personnel and scouting went into this draft looking for left-handed hitters and pitchers. He also said taking a high school player in the first round meant that the Astros had to consider that guy a special player. Well, they did and they do. Max Sapp is a left-handed hitting power hitter that the Astros believe can develop into a special hitter. In 2006 Sapp hit .591 with 9 homers and 48 RBI. The Astros drafted him as a catcher. There has been a good deal written about Sapps’s catching skills. In sum there is debate among scouts whether Max will be able to stay behind the plate as he matures. He does though have enough arm strength to stay there. The Astros will keep him there for now and watch whether Sapp will be mobile enough to work behind the plate and develop the skills necessary to be a quality catcher. Whether he stays at catcher or moves to first base most believe his bat will be plenty adequate.
Sapp was named the Orlando Sentinel Central Florida Baseball Player of the Year. For his part Max wants to be a catcher. He says he enjoys putting on the catching gear and lugging the biggest bag and most equipment around. He also says he enjoys throwing runners out and finds it a bit insulting that base runners knowing he has a good arm run on him anyway. Max is a Florida State University signee but is on record as willing to take slot money and report as early as possible. As Sapp is a high school player, and despite being a first round pick, he is raw and will need time to develop. His swing probably has too much of an upper cut, and he needs plenty of work defensively. The Astros will give him plenty of time to develop.
Signed 6/15. Assigned to Tri-City.
2nd Round: Sergio Perez; RHP; R/R; 6’3”, 230; DOB 12/05/1984; University of Tampa.
It did not take long for the Astros to take a pitcher in this year’s draft. With their second pick they took the Spartans ace. The Astros had a very high opinion of Perez. Ricciarini believes Perez is first round caliber talent. He went so far as to say that had another team taken first pick Sapp ahead of the Astros, the Astros would have taken Perez with their first pick. The Astros tout Sergio’s makeup and note his fastball will reach the mid- to upper-90’s with movement. He also throws a hard slider. There are, however, issues with his consistency in his delivery and mechanics. The Astros will be working hard to help Perez develop consistency and will advance him as quickly as Perez’s improvements allow.
The Spartans won the Division II National Championship this year. Perez started the semi-final game and went 7 innings, allowing 6 hits, 2 earned runs, and 1 walk, while striking out 9 for the win. Sergio was named to the 2006 All-American Division II Rawlings/American Baseball Coaches Association First Team and to the First Team 2006 All-SSC Baseball Team. Perez ended the season with a 2.10 ERA, throwing 103 innings giving up 66 hits and 29 walks and 16 hit batsmen. He allowed 24 earned runs and struck out 138. He’s a junior so he could return to Tampa, but realistically the Astros should be able to sign him. We believe he will be assigned to Tri-City.
Signed 6/30. Assigned to Lexington.
3rd Round: Nick Moresi; CF; R/R; 6’4”, 190; DOB 11/22/1984; Fresno State University.
Moresi was selected here based on potential. He spent a good deal of the season recovering from a wrist injury due to hamate bone problems and only started hitting late in the season. His season stats are not eye popping as should be expected. Nick hit .301 over 176 at-bats. He recorded 53 hits with 4 doubles and 4 home runs. He walked just 6 times and struck out 44 times. Moresi is a very good defender. He has very good speed and a strong arm. He appears to read the ball well in centerfield.
Moresi was named the preseason WAC Player of the Year. He recovered from his wrist injury in time to be named to the WAC All-Tournament Team and the NCAA Fullerton Regional All-Tournament Team. A better indicator of Moresi’s talent is evident in his 2005 sophomore season. He led the team in hitting with a .352 average which was also fourth best in the conference. He had 77 hits, 10 doubles, 2 triples, and was second on the team with 11 home runs. He walked 16 times and struck out 46 times. He led the team with 13 steals. He was also second in the WAC in RBI with 54. He was named First-Team All-WAC outfielder, gained ABCA All-Western Region honors, and was named team MVP. Moresi’s a junior and so could return to Fresno.
Signed 6/15. Assigned to Tri-City.
4th Round: Christopher Johnson; 3B; R/R; 6’2”, 180; DOB 10/01/1984; Stetson University.
Johnson has been the Hatters’ best offensive player for his two playing years. In his redshirt-freshman year, 2005, he was selected to the Freshman All-America Team by Collegiate Baseball and Baseball America. He was named the Atlantic Sun Freshman of the Year while starting games at 5 different positions.
This season Chris led his team in nearly every offensive category, .376 average, 92 hits, 16 doubles, 11 home runs, .584 slugging percentage, .452 on-base percentage. He also had 1 triple. He walked 30 times and had 29 strike outs. He led the A-Sun Conference in hits and with 66 RBI. Johnson was named to the NCAA Atlanta Regional All-tournament team. He was named Third Team All-American by Collegiate Baseball. He was named First Team Atlantic Sun All-Conference. He was also named to the A-Sun All-tournament Team.
Chris was selected by the Red Sox in the 37th round in 2003 and is the son of Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox manager Ron Johnson. Johnson said the Red Sox were again ready to draft him, this time in the 4th round. However, the Astros selected him just four picks ahead of Boston. He played first base this season, but the Astros believe he is athletic enough to handle third base. He is a draft-eligible sophomore and so can return to Stetson. If he signs we expect him to be assigned to Tri-City.
Signed 6/19. Assigned to Tri-City.
5th Round: Casey Hudspeth; RHP; R/R; 6’0”, 185; DOB 10/01/1984; University of South Florida.
Hudspeth, the second pitcher taken by the Astros, was the Bulls staff ace. He was a preseason All-Big East selection, Baseball America preseason All-Big East, and preseason Big East Pitcher of the Year. Casey throws a low-90’s fastball and has a feel for a change-up and curveball. Some noticed a decline in quality of his curveball this spring. Hudspeth finished the season with a 4.38 ERA. He threw 98.2 innings giving up 100 hits, 48 earned runs, walked 41, and struck out 106. Casey was drafted by Tampa out of high school. They offered him 6th round money, but it came after USF orientation. A junior, Casey can return to South Florida.
Signed 6/15. Assigned to Tri-City.
6th Round: David “Bud” Norris; RHP; R/R; 6’0”, 195, DOB 3/02/1985; California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.
Norris is the second shorter right-handed pitcher taken in a row. Like Hudspeth, Norris throws in the low-90’s. David however lacks feel for off-speed pitches. He started the season as a weekend pitcher for the Mustangs. But, their Friday starter buckled, and Norris, thanks to being consistent on the mound, took over the Friday role. He pitched well there and kept the Mustangs competitive. David logged 110.2 innings and recorded a 4.55 ERA. He allowed 118 hits, 56 earned runs, and 57 walks while striking out 61.
A junior, Norris has indicated a willingness to sign and begin his pro career. He seems excited about being in the Astros organization.
Signed 6/15. Assigned to Tri-City.
7th Round: David Qualben; LHP; L/L; 6’3”, 210; DOB 7/29/1985; Pace University.
Qualben is the second Division II pitcher selected by the Astros, and their first left-handed pitcher selected. He pitched well last summer in the wood-bat Coastal Plain League and was name the league’s top pitching prospect. David started the spring off slow showing a lack of command and velocity. He picked it up halfway through the season and finished strong. He throws a low-90’s fastball and sports an effective curveball and changeup. Qualben threw 68.1 innings and recorded a 2.37 ERA. He gave up 51 hits, 18 earned runs, 25 walks, and struck out 80. He is a junior and could return to the Setters.
Signed 6/15. Assigned to Tri-City.
8th Round: James Van Ostrand; RF; R/R; 6’4”, 220; DOB 8/07/1984; California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.
Van Ostrand is a senior and teammate of Norris who played mostly first base this spring for the Mustangs. He has also played right field for them. The Astros like him in right field as he has a strong arm and enough speed to play out there. The Astros also like the pop in his bat and will look for RBI from him as a middle of the order hitter. James was a 2006 First Team All-Big West Conference selectee. He hit .297 with 63 hits. He led the team in doubles, 13, home runs, 13, and RBI, 49. He also recorded 2 triples. He walked 32 times while striking out 33 times.
Signed 6/7. Assigned to Tri-City.
9th Round: Gregory Buchanan; 2B; S/R; 5’11”, 180; DOB 11/16/1983; Rice University.
Buchanan is the only second baseman drafted this year by the Astros. He spent his freshman year at the University of Houston. He then transferred to Alvin Community College for his sophomore year. While there he earned Second Team All-American, All-Conference, All-Region honors, and the Rawlings Big Stick Award. He then transferred to Rice.
In his junior year Buchanan missed 3 weeks with a broken foot on a hit batsman. He still managed to hit .306 in 216 at-bats and earn All-Silver Glove Series. He played both third base and second base that year. This year Rice is in the College World Series and as of this writing the Series has yet to begin. Having started every game to now, Greg currently sports a .346 average in 266 at-bats. He has 9 doubles, 3 triples, and 5 home runs. He has walked 14 time and struck out 32 times. He is 12 of 14 in stolen bases. The Astros see him as a solid defender and #1 or #2 type hitter. He won’t be eligible to sign until after Rice is finished with the CWS. When that happens we expect Buchanan to sign quickly and report to Tri-City.
Signed 6/28. Assigned to Tri-City.
10th Round: Nathan Karns; RHP; R/R; 6’5”, 230; DOB 11/25/1987; James Martin Senior High School, Texas.
Karns is the second high school draftee this year for the Astros and the first high school pitcher taken. Nathan is a raw pitcher who can reach the mid-90’s with his fastball. As both a football and baseball player at Martin, there were initial comparisons to previous Astros draftees Barthmaier and Davis. However, Karns, a Longhorn signee, would only play baseball at Texas if he attends. We are not aware of which way Karns may be leaning. He does not seem a likely DFE, so it will probably take a good chunk of change to sign Karns away from the Longhorns. If the Astros sign him, he’ll be assigned to Greeneville. If he attend the University of Texas the Astros will lose their rights to him.
Attend North Carolina State University. Cannot sign.
11th Round: Thomas Vessella; LHP; R/L; 6’6”, 205; DOB 10/12/1985; Whittier College.
Vessella was the staff ace for the Poets this spring. He was named to the 2006 Division III Third Team American Baseball Coaches Association All-American Team. He was a first-team All-SCIAC selection and a first-team West Region selection. He throws a low-90’s fastball and recorded a 1.85 ERA over 82.2 innings pitched. Thomas gave up 60 hits, 17 earned runs, and 38 walks while striking out 91.
Signed 6/15. Assigned to Greeneville.
12th Round: Bryan Hallberg; RHP; R/R; 6’0”, 205; DOB 4/23/1985; Pace University.
Hallberg, a teammate of Qualben, put together a very good season as well. He finished with a 2.53 ERA over 78.1 innings pitched. He gave up 52 hits, 22 earned runs, 20 walks, and struck out 78. Bryan was named 2006 First Team Northeast-10 Conference All Academic Team.
Signed 6/15. Assigned to Tri-City.
13th Round: Christopher Salamida; LHP; L/L; 6’0”, 180; DOB 5/07/1984; State University of New York at Oneonta.
Salamida hails from the Albany area and grew up just 5 minutes from Troy, home of the Tri-city ValleyCats. Oneonta is a Division III school so Salamida did not face the stiffest competition. He recorded a 1.70 ERA. He threw 79.1 innings allowing 43 hits, 15 earned runs, 23 walks, and struck out 75. His fastball tops out at 92 and usually sits about 88-90. Chris also throws a slider, changeup, and knuckleball. He apparently has control of them all to varying degrees.
Signed 6/10. Assigned to Tri-City.
14th Round: Justin Tellam; C; R/R; 6’3”, 190; DOB 11/20/1984; Pepperdine University.
Tellam is the second catcher taken by the Astros. Where Sapp is most certainly an offensive powerhouse, Tellam is more defense oriented. Justin spent his first two years at UNLV before transferring to Pepperdine. Not a big hitter, Tellam hit .233 over 146 at-bats. He recorded 34 hits, 7 doubles, a team leading 8 home runs, with 21 walks and 43 strikeouts.
Signed 6/7. Assigned to Tri-City.
15th Round: Kevin Fox; LHP; L/L; 6’1”, 180; DOB 8/24/1985; Biola University.
Fox is a junior who spent his first collegiate year at the University of California at Irvine. This season he recorded a 5.37 ERA over 63.2 innings pitched, allowing 75 hits, 38 earned runs, and 22 walks while striking out 65.
Signed 6/7. Assigned to Greeneville.
16th Round: Andrew “Drew” Holder; CF; R/R; 6’0”, 210; DOB 10/02/1983; Dallas Baptist University.
Holder was a four-year starter in the outfield, making him a brief teammate of Ben Zobrist, and a captain for the Patriots this past season. He was named a NCAA Division I First Team All-American. He was also named NCAA Independent Player of the Year, NCAA Division I Independent All-Academic Team, ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District Second Team, NCCAA All-American, College Baseball Foundation Honor Roll, and the All-Texas Team. Andrew hit .364 in 220 at-bats. He recorded 80 hits, 20 doubles, 3 triples, and 20 home runs.
Signed 6/15. Assigned to Tri-City.
17th Round: Justin Stiver; RHP; R/R; 6’2”, 195; DOB 8/07/1984; Florida Gulf Coast University.
Florida Gulf Coast University, Division II, is fairly new school and Stiver is the first person from that school to be drafted by a major professional sports league. Justin played one season at the University of Florida, pitching sparsely, and then lost the next to a shoulder injury. He transferred to FGCU but had to sit out last year due to ineligibility. So, he’s really only pitched significantly for one season since leaving high school. He has a low- to mid-90’s fastball and will need time to develop quality off-speed pitches. He threw 78 innings this season giving up 73 hits, 33 earned runs, and 39 walks. He recorded a 3.81 ERA and struck out 76. He and Hudspeth pitched on the same AAU team in high school.
Signed 6/7. Assigned to Tri-City.
18th Round: Colt Adams; RHP; R/R; 6’5”, 220; DOB 5/23/1985; Dixie State College of Utah.
A sophomore, Adams earned Scenic West Athletic Conference Second Team All-Region honors. The mlb.com video shows Colt reaching just the mid-80’s with his fastball, but there are reports that he can throw in the low 90’s. He had Tommy John surgery in 2004 after blowing out his elbow at a Rockies tryout. He did not pitch in 2005 because of it. Adams finished this season with a 1.92 ERA over 79.2 innings, giving up 69 hits, 17 earned runs, 15 walks, and striking out 65.
Signed 6/7. Assigned to Greeneville.
19th Round: Orlando Rosales; CF; R/R; 5’8”, 180; DOB 4/09/1984; University of Tampa.
Along with round 2 selection Perez, Rosales, a senior, was a First Team Sunshine State Conference and South Region selection and First Team All-American. He hit .413 in 242 at-bats. He finished with 100 hits, 20 doubles, 8 triples, 14 home runs, 17 walks, 25 strike outs, and was 19 of 21 in stolen bases.
Signed 6/15. Assigned to Greeneville.
20th Round: Robert “Mark” Sobolewski; SS; R/R; 6’0”, 190; DOB 12/24/1986; Sarasota High School, Florida.
Sobolewski hit .409 for Sarasota and was considered a top 5 round talent with signability issues as he’s committed to the University of Miami hence his slide to round 20. Robert is quoted as saying he turned down third round money from both the Astros and Cardinals during the draft prior to his being selected. He also claimed to have turned down first round money from the Yankees. That should mean he’s unsignable. But, he’s also said that something could come up in negotiations to change his leaning toward college. We have no idea what could be offered a high schooler in a contract beyond first round money that would entice him to sign. We have the feeling he’s engaging in a negotiating ploy and looking for something like mid to high second round money. Time will tell if the Astros and Sobolewski can come to an agreement. There is the chance he will go the DFE route but that does not look likely. If he does sign he’ll go to Greeneville.
Attended University of Miami. Cannot sign.
21st Round: Antony Bello; LHP; L/L; 6’2”, 200; DOB 10/09/1985; Nova Southeastern University.
Another Division II pitcher, Bello, a junior, was named to the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association All-American Third Team. Also, Bello named to the ABCA/RAWLINGS All-South Region First Team and selected to the 2006 All-Sunshine State Conference Baseball First Team. He finished the year with a 2.87 ERA over 91 innings. He gave up 81 hits, 29 earned runs, and 50 walks. He struck out 70.
Signed 6/15. Assigned to Greeneville.
22nd Round: Chad Wagler; RHP; R/R; 6’1”, 185; DOB 9/11/1983; Kent State University.
Kent State’s number 1 starter, Wagler posted a 2.68 ERA in 104 innings. He allowed 93 hits and 31 earned runs. He gave up 20 walks and struck out 69. Chad was named to the Second Team 2006 NCAA All-Midwest Region Team. He was also a First Team All-MAC selection. Wagler was drafted by the Giants last year in the 18th round.
Signed 6/15. Assigned to Tri-City.
23rd Round: Tim Torres; SS; S/R; 6’2”, 190; DOB 11/12/1983; Oral Roberts University.
A fifth-year senior, Torres played centerfield, as shortstop was manned by last year’s Tigers’ 16th round pick Michael Holliman, last year before moving to shortstop this year. Torres transferred from Sierra College in California where he was an All-American shortstop. Tim is a good athlete with a good arm. He hit .314 over 226 at-bats. He recorded 15 doubles, 1 triple, and 10 home runs. He walked 36 times and struck out 46 times.
Signed 6/15. Assigned to Tri-City.
24th Round: Jonathan Wiedenbauer; LHP; L/L; 6’3”, 185; DOB 1/16/1988; Seabreeze High School, Florida.
Wiedenbauer is the son of Tom Wiedenbauer, the club’s Minor League field coordinator. He was not a draft prospect entering his senior season. But, he hit .386 and complied a 0.71 ERA and became the Seabreeze ace. As a side note, current Hooks catcher J. R. House also played at Seabreeze. He apparently played well at several Florida showcases. He has committed to the University of Tampa. He could go DFE or sign as well.
Attended University of Tampa. Cannot sign.
25th Round: Jamaal Hollis; RHP; R/R; 6’2”, ; DOB 12/03/1987; Whitney-Young High School, Illinois.
Hollis hit 94 on some radar guns this year but had trouble with consistency and fell to 25. He also had signability issues. Hollis has made it very clear that unless he is offered at least 5th round money (roughly $175,000) he would honor his commitment to Miami of Ohio. He has indicated that the Angels offered $80,000 and the Astros $40,000 in pre-draft negotiations. He turned those offers down. We feel he’ll go to Miami but you never know.
Attended Miami of Ohio. Cannot sign.
26th Round: Lenell McGee; 3B; R/R; 6’2”, 185; DOB 8/10/1988; Mount Carmel High School, Illinois.
McGee hit .476 with 7 home runs. He was named the Catholic League’s Most Valuable Senior. He is signed to attend John A. Logan College, a JUCO. The Astros drafted him as a DFE.
Attended Oakton Community College in Illinois. DFE.
27th Round: Cirilo Cruz; 1B; R/R; 6’1”, 215; DOB 2/13/1985; Cumberland University.
Cruz is the well documented nephew of Astros legend Jose Cruz. Cruz previously attended Chandler-Gilbert Community College which is where DFE signee Reid Kelly attended. Cruz hit .335 in 191 at-bats. He finished with 64 hits, 14 doubles, 18 home runs, 32 walks, and 55 strike outs. He also had 11 errors at first base.
Signed 6/15. Assigned to Greeneville.
28th Round: Brandon Caipen; 3B; R/R; 6’0”, 180; DOB 8/04/1983; Youngstown State University.
A senior, Caipen was named to the CoSIDA Academic-All District Team. He also earned First-Team All-Horizon League honors for the second straight season. Caipen was also named to the Second-Team ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America by the College Sports Information Directors of America. He hit .332 in 229 at-bats. He recorded 76 hits, 18 doubles, 1 triple, and 5 home runs. Brandon was a utility player this year, playing catcher and outfield. He has not played third base since high school, but the Astros want to see what he can do there.
Signed 6/15. Assigned to Greeneville.
29th Round: Rafeal Parks; RF; R/R; 6’2”, 180; DOB 2/15/1988; Greenbrier High School, Georgia.
Parks was considered Greenbrier’s best draft-eligible pro prospect by Baseball America. He throws in the high-80’s. At least five scouts have worked him out. His college selection is unknown.
Attended the University of South Carolina Salkehatchie, a JUCO. DFE.
30th Round: Eric Taylor; 3B; R/R; 6’1”, 195; DOB 7/29/1985; University of California at Los Angeles.
Taylor was a utility player for UCLA this year. He played in 26 games but started just 11. He hit .370 with 2 doubles, 3 home runs, 9 walks and 11 strike outs. He attended NC State his freshman year. Last summer he played in a wood bat league and did not hit particularly well. That followed a spring where Taylor was the starting third baseman for the Bruins and hit poorly as well. He played first base, third base, and catcher this spring, and the Astros will have him at third this summer.
Signed 6/7. Assigned to Tri-City.
31st Round: Kyle DeYoung; RHP; R/R; 6’0”, 190; DOB 8/15/1984; Florida Southern College.
DeYoung served as the Moccasin’s closer and recorded 6 saves this year. He is their all-time saves leader with 23. This season he threw 65 innings. He gave up 73 hits, 26 earned runs, 18 walks and struck out 44. He ended with a 3.60 ERA. In 2005 the Division II Moccasins won the DII CWS and Deyoung was named the tournament MVP. Also in the 2005 season, he finished with a 1.07 ERA, good for second best in all Division II. He followed that up with a 2.12 ERA in the wood bat Cape Cod League in the summer of 2005.
Signed 6/15. Assigned to Tri-City.
32nd Round: Adam Hale; RHP; L/R; 6’4”, 215; DOB 3/07/1985; Texas A&M University.
Hale was an outfielder and designated hitter for the Aggies in 2006. He did not pitch this year. He spent his first two years at Rice where he did occasionally take the mound.
Signed 6/7. Assigned to Greeneville.
33rd Round: Codi Harshman; CF; R/R; 6’2”, 180; DOB 11/14/1987; Sabino High School, Arizona.
Harshman has committed to Pima Community College in Arizona.
DFE.
34th Round: John Anderson; RHP; R/R; 6’2”, 195; DOB 2/06/1988; Captain Shreve High School, Louisiana.
Anderson helped lead Captain Shreve to the state title this year. He was selected as the pitcher for the West Team in the State LHSAA game. He received a baseball scholarship to Bossier Parish Community College.
DFE.
35th Round: Patrick Allen; RF; R/R; 6’4”, 215; DOB 5/20/1986; Everett Community College, Washington.
A freshman, Allen was named to the All-League Northern Division Team. In 68 at-bats he had 30 hits, 8 of which were doubles.
DFE.
36th Round: Johnathan Moore; C; R/R; 6’0”, 180; DOB 3/24/1988; Arlington Lamar High School, Texas.
Moore is the son of Round Rock manager Jackie Moore. See a highlight of Moore’s home run swing here. His college selection is unknown. If he goes to a four year school the Astros lose their rights to him.
Attended Temple Junior College. DFE.
37th Round: Trent Henderson; SS; R/R; 6’3”, 210; DOB 2/10/1988; Newport High School, Washington.
Henderson is the son of former major leaguer Dave Henderson. Trent helped lead his team to the 2006 state title. In 45 at-bats he recorded a .378 average with 6 doubles, 1 triple, and 1 home run. Henderson has committed to Skagit Valley College in Washington. One of our sources says he has a lot of room to physically mature and could become a descent professional baseball player. However, he does not expect Trent to show enough next spring to warrant a contract with the Astros. Time will tell.
DFE.
38th Round: Casey Anderson; C; R/R; 6’2”, 195; DOB 3/31/1987; West Ouacita High School, Louisiana.
Anderson was named and All-Northeast and Class 4A All-State selectee. He was also named the District 2-4A MVP. He hit 11 home runs and batted .445. He is committed to Louisiana State University – Eunice, a JUCO.
DFE.
39th Round: William Kline; RHP; R/R; 6’2”, 215; DOB 9/10/1984; University of Mississippi.
There is some conflicting information out there on Kline. The Astros press release regarding Kline indicated he had played four years for the Rebels. However, the Mississippi website says he’s a redshirt sophomore. We’ll go with the the Rebels. Kline threw 68 innings, mostly in relief, and gave up 69 hits, 28 earned runs, 22 walks, and 76 strikeouts. He finished with a 3.71 ERA. The Astros press release also indicated he had lost some interest in the game. But, the Rebels’ website says he intends to return to Ole Miss for the fall.
Returned to University of Mississippi. Cannot sign.
40th Round: Steven Detwiler; SS; R/R; 6’1”, 200; DOB 12/31/1987; San Rafael High School, California.
When he was a freshman, Detwiler faced fellow Astros draftee Bud Norris. According to Detwiler Norris struck him out twice but also doubled. Detwiler has committed to the College of Marin, a JUCO.
Attended Fresno State University. Cannot sign.
41st Round: Axel Gonzalez; CF; R/R; 5’11”, 165; DOB 6/02/1988; Rosalina C. Martinez School, Puerto Rico.
Gonzalez is the only Astros draftee from off the mainland. His college selection is unknown. However, we are thinking he could follow former Astros draftees Raymar Diaz and Ethien Santana to a Texas JUCO. Both Diaz and Santana were redrafted following their respective freshman year with Diaz signing a DFE deal with the Astros in 2003 and Santana reentering the draft in 2004.
Attended Wabash Valley (Ill.) Junior College. DFE.
42nd Round: Kevin Sullivan; C; L/R; 6’3”, 200; DOB 4/24/1988; York Community High School, Illinois.
Sullivan is the first of two Illinois high school catchers taken by the Astros. His college selection is unknown.
Attended Oakton Community College. DFE.
43rd Round: Greg Joseph; LF; L/L; 6’2”, 220; DOB 11/09/1985; Mount San Jacinto Junior College, California.
Joseph is a freshman. His school did not report statistics.
DFE.
44th Round: Adam Pilate; CF; R/R; 6’2”, 180; DOB 9/12/1987; Sylacauga High School, Alabama.
Pilate hit .414 with 7 home runs and 10 steals while knocking in 34 and recording a .630 on-base percentage. Adam was named to the Large Schools All-County Baseball Team. He has committed to Bevill State Community College in Alabama.
DFE.
45th Round: Cody Madison; CF; R/R; 6’0”, 205; DOB 12/17/1987; Vista Del Lago High School, California.
Madison recorded a .417 average with 28 hits in 67 at-bats. He was named to the RBI Championship Tournament All-tournament team. His college selection is unknown.
Attended Riverside Community College. DFE.
46th Round: Joey Wong; SS; L/R; 5’9”, 165; DOB 4/12/1988; Sprague High School, Oregon.
Wong is a three-time First Team All-Valley League player. He was First Team All-State in 2004 and 2005. He was also named to the USA Youth National Team. He is noted for his defensive ability. He also quarterbacked the football team. His father is a new assistant coach for Oregon State University and, surprise, Joey is a OSU signee. There seems little chance he’ll go the JUCO route, but we will keep an eye on it.
Attended Oregon State University. Cannot sign.
47th Round: Michael Pericht; C; R/R; 6’5”, 225; DOB 5/23/1988; Providence Catholic High School, Illinois.
Pericht hit .406 with 29 hits, 6 of which were home runs. He was named Second Team All-Conference and Third Team All-Area Southtown. Michael has committed to St. Joseph’s College of Indiana, a Division II school. If he attends the Astros will lose their rights to him.
Attended St. Joseph’s College. Cannot sign.
48th Round: Jerry Quinones; LHP; L/L; 6’1”, 180; DOB 9/29/1985; Compton Community College, California.
Quinones pitched in 10 games, starting 4. He logged 30 innings allowing 9 earned runs, 24 hits, 12 walks, and struck out 21. He finished with a 2.70 ERA. Compton CC has played some of their games at the new MLB Urban Youth Academy Show Field. This selection is a little odd as Quinones is a sophomore and thus not a DFE candidate. He will either sign with the Astros or move on to a 4-year school if he wants to continue playing.
(Edit)We’ve got some conflicting information that indicates Quinones was actually a freshman and returned to Compton CC. We’ll update when we know for sure.
49th Round: Andy Launier; 1B; R/R; 6’3”, 220; DOB 4/10/1987; Sierra Junior College, California.
Launier finished the season with a .315 average. He recorded 53 hits, 6 doubles, 10 home runs, 13 walks, and 34 strike outs in 168 at-bats. He was named to the Big 7 All-Conference Second Team. He lists the Astros as his favorite team and Bagwell as his favorite player.
DFE.
50th Round: Paul Tyler Henley; CF; L/L; 5’10”, 205; DOB 6/10/1985; Rice University.
Henley, who goes by Tyler, is a draft eligible sophomore. He is the second Rice draftee this year along with 9th round pick Buchanan. This year he hit .339 in 245 at-bats. He has 23 team leading doubles, 7 triples, 7 home runs, 28 walks, and 34 strike outs. In 2005 he was named to the Freshman All-American squad by Collegiate Baseball. He was also a All-Western Athletic Conference First Team member. He was a WAC All-Academic. He also earned the All-Silver Glove Series. The Astros have little chance of signing Tyler but took a flyer here anyway. Rice is playing in the CWS as of this writing and so the Astros cannot begin contract discussions until Rice’s season is over.
Returned to Rice. Cannot sign.
This year the Astros went heavy on the college level talent in the first 10 rounds of the draft. High school players bracketed the top 10 with Sapp at number 1 and Karns at number 10. As far as players signed or expected to sign after that, nearly all are college level. The expectation this year was that teams would lean heavily on college players with an apparent lack of high level high school players. The Astros followed that path, especially in the first 23 rounds. The Astros went for more high school players in the subsequent rounds. In all we count 10 DFE players as of this writing and that number could swell if some of those committed to a 4-year school go JUCO and we discover the collegiate whereabouts of those we haven’t heard. Let’s see what this class looks like in 2010 and decide whether there really was a lack of talent this year.