SB Nation Houston - 2011 MLB Draft: Astros Keep The Signings Cominghttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46691/houston-fave.png2011-06-10T11:21:37-05:00http://houston.sbnation.com/rss/stream/19729922011-06-10T11:21:37-05:002011-06-10T11:21:37-05:002011 MLB Draft Results: Cardinals Draft Clear Creek Outfielder C.J. McElroy In Third Round
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<p>Clear Creek outfielder C.J. McElroy, who has a commitment to the University Of Houston for both baseball and football, looks like he'll instead sign with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">St. Louis Cardinals</a> after being a third-round pick in this week's MLB Draft. McElroy, the son of former reliever and last-black-man-with-glasses-to-play-baseball Chuck McElroy, <a href="http://blog.chron.com/cougars/2011/06/uh-dual-sport-signee-mcelroy-leaning-towards-pro-baseball/" target="_blank">said he would take a trip to St. Louis to talk with Cardinals brass</a>:</p>
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<p>Though McElroy and the Cardinals will have to come to an agreement on contract terms before he officially foregoes a career at UH, it appears he's leaning that way.</p>
<p>"I love baseball and it's been my first sport since I was little and I'm going to give away football to play baseball," McElroy said. "It's a great opportunity for me to play at the next level and I can do it. The money situation (will be a factor) and I'll probably take a trip to St. Louis and talk to people."</p>
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<p>McElroy seems likely to sign with the Cardinals, who have a history with multi-tooled outfield types like <span>Ray Lankford</span>, <span>Brian Jordan</span>, and <span>Colby Rasmus</span> in the last fifteen years. He fits right in with that tradition on paper.</p>
https://houston.sbnation.com/houston-astros/2011/6/10/2217365/mlb-draft-2011-resultsRivers McCown2011-06-10T10:35:51-05:002011-06-10T10:35:51-05:002011 Astros Draft Picks: Astros Continue Signing Spree
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/">Houston Astros</a> continue to lock up their 2011 MLB Draft picks. <a href="http://houston.sbnation.com/houston-astros/2011/6/9/2215432/mlb-draft-2011-results" target="_blank">After signing three on Wednesday</a>, Thursday saw five more come under contract, including fifth round Stony Brook starter Nick Tropeano. <a href="http://blog.chron.com/ultimateastros/2011/06/09/astros-sign-five-draft-picks/" target="_blank">Steve Campbell of The Houston Chronicle broke the story</a>.</p>
<p>Scouting director Bobby Heck on Thursday announced the signing of righthanded pitchers Nick Tropiano (Round 5) and Blake Ford (44), first baseman Chase Davidson (41) and outfielders Andrew Muren (22) and Chris Epps (45).</p>
<p>That means the Astros have eight players from the 2011 class under contract already, and many more look like they're unofficially done. Major hat tip to <a href="http://www.astroscounty.com" target="_blank">Astros County</a> for rounding up the majority of these links:</p>
<p>-According to the Winston-Salem Journal, <a href="http://www2.journalnow.com/sports/2011/jun/10/WSSPORT01-culbreth-excited-about-chance-with-astro-ar-1108203/" target="_blank">sixth rounder Brandon Culbreth has signed</a> for $150,000 and a fund for further college education.<br>-23rd rounder Ruben Sosa<a href="http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110610/GJSPORTS_01/706109958/-1/FOSNEWS" target="_blank"> looks like he'll sign with the Astros in short order</a>.<br>-31st rounder <a href="http://www.helena-arkansas.com/sports/x832289518/Baseball-draft-will-have-impact-on-2012-Diamond-Hogs" target="_blank">Jarrod McKinney's college coach expects him to sign with Houston</a>.<br>-33rd rounder <a href="http://www.standard.net/topics/sports/2011/06/09/former-northridge-standout-drafted-astros" target="_blank">Dominique Taylor probably will not sign with the Astros</a>.</p>
https://houston.sbnation.com/houston-astros/2011/6/10/2217300/mlb-draft-2011-resultsRivers McCown2011-06-09T11:30:27-05:002011-06-09T11:30:27-05:00MLB Draft 2011: George Springer Downplays Bagwell Comparisons
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<p>New <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/">Astros</a> CF George Springer may be considered raw on the baseball diamond, but his PR skills are already top-notch. In a chat with Stephen Goff earlier this week, the Astros Examiner brought up the idea of<a href="http://www.examiner.com/houston-astros-in-houston/uconn-of-george-springer-honored-to-be-drafted-by-astros-first-round" target="_blank"> fellow Nutmegger Jeff Bagwell to Springer</a>, and he played it very carefully, making sure not to seem too full of himself:</p>
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<p>As a native of New Britain, Conn., and product of Avon Old Farms School, Springer -- an avid <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.overthemonster.com/">Boston Red Sox</a> fan -- isn't too familiar with the history of the Astros, but he's aware of a legendary ballplayer named <span>Jeff Bagwell</span> from the state of Connecticut who had a similar background coming out of college before graduating to a Hall of Fame-caliber career in Houston.</p>
<p>"I can never put myself in the same sentence as Jeff Bagwell since he's an all-time great," Springer said. "It's nice to know that a player has gone down to Houston from Connecticut and put together one of the greatest careers any ballplayer could ever have.</p>
<p>"It's up to me to establish my own legacy and hopefully I can follow a similar path by making a significant impact for the Astros over a long-term period."</p>
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<p>What's that saying about jibs? I like the cut of Springer's jib. He may take some time before he's MLB ready, but given the fact that <span>Michael Bourn</span> will be arbitration eligible for the last time in 2012, the Astros have to be hoping he can be ready for the start of 2013. Or at least June of that year, if MLB hasn't fixed their ridiculous Super Two issues yet.</p>
https://houston.sbnation.com/houston-astros/2011/6/9/2215505/2011-mlb-draft-george-springerRivers McCown2011-06-09T10:52:24-05:002011-06-09T10:52:24-05:002011 MLB Draft Results: Astros Sign Three Early
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<p>In a not-so-shocking validation of the idea that despite it being illegal to talk about deals before players are drafted, teams do it all the time anyway, the Astros have signed three of their draft picks less than a day after the 2011 MLB Draft ended. Astros Examiner <a href="http://www.examiner.com/houston-astros-in-houston/astros-sign-day-2-draftees-chris-lee-john-hinson" target="_blank">Stephen Goff broke the news</a>:</p>
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<p>In addition to signing Lamar University standout right-hander Blake Ford (44th round), the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/">Houston Astros</a> announced Wednesday night that two more picks -- Santa Fe Community College (Fla.) left-hander Chris Lee (fourth round) and Clemson infielder John Hinson (13th round) -- have agreed to terms after being selected on Day 2 of the 2011 First-Year Player Draft.</p>
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<p>The three picks will likely be headed to the Astros rookie ball affiliates, either the GCL Astros or the Greeneville Astros in the Appalachian League. Lee will almost undoubtedly head to Greeneville, while Hinson should wind up either there or, more aggressively, with the Low A Lexington Legends. </p>
<p>Should be interesting to see what the terms look like, as not many had Lee ticketed as a fourth round pick and he could be a nice "signability" guy.</p>
https://houston.sbnation.com/houston-astros/2011/6/9/2215432/mlb-draft-2011-resultsRivers McCown2011-06-08T19:22:05-05:002011-06-08T19:22:05-05:00Astros Draft Paralyzed Player
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<p>No, you read the headline right.</p>↵<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/">Astros</a> selected Buddy Lamothe, <a href="http://blog.chron.com/ultimateastros/2011/06/08/touching-gesture-by-astros-drafting-paralyzed-san-jac-player/">a relief pitcher for the San Jacinto Gators</a>, in the 40th round of this year's draft. Only he will never suit up for the Astros. Nor will he ever suit up for any of the Astros' minor league affiliates. </p>↵<p>Lamothe was paralyzed in a swimming accident last month in San Marcos. A dive gone wrong injured his spine and ultimately cost him his pitching career. Lamothe was having a stellar season before his life-changing injury; he had a .86 ERA and struck out 27 batters in just 21 innings. He was San Jacinto's top relief pitcher. Instead of Major League aspirations, he will instead work towards walking again. </p>↵<p>Lamothe was not the only paralyzed player taken; the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lonestarball.com/">Rangers</a> also selected Johnathan Taylor in the 33rd round. Taylor, a University of Georgia product, was paralyzed after an outfield collision with Rangers second-round pick Zach Cone. </p>↵<p>The Astros have been anything but good on the field this year, so it's nice to see them do something good for the community. I can't imagine what the Lamothe family has been going through, but I hope this move touched their hearts as much as it did mine. </p>
https://houston.sbnation.com/houston-astros/2011/6/8/2214390/astros-draft-paralyzed-playerAlex Cohn2011-06-08T18:20:38-05:002011-06-08T18:20:38-05:002011 MLB Draft Results: Astros Wrap Up Draft With Day Three Haul
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<p>Most of the premium prospects are long gone, and even the long-shot prospects are basically finished by Round 30, but there's always the hope that the next <span>Mike Piazza</span> or <span>Orlando Hudson</span> can rise to the top out of these picks on Day 3. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/">Astros</a> hit the local area rather hard, selecting two Texas A&M players, a San Jacinto Community College pitcher (more on him later), a Lamar University pitcher, and a pair of local high school arms from Caney Creek and Clear Creek. Here's the complete list:</p>
<p>Round 31 -- Jarrod McKinney, RF, Arkansas<br>Round 32 -- Zachary Dando, RHP, Central Arizona College<br>Round 33 -- Dominique Taylor, CF, Salt Lake CC<br>Round 34 -- Dustin Kellogg, RHP, Caney Creek HS<br>Round 35 -- Chris Morales, RHP, Clear Creek HS<br>Round 36 -- Kevin Gonzalez, C, Texas A&M<br>Round 37 -- Steve Martin, RHP, Texas A&M<br>Round 38 -- James Propst, RHP, Oklahoma State<br>Round 39 -- David Haerle, RHP, College of the Canyons<br>Round 40 -- Buddy Lamothe, RHP, San Jacinto College<br>Round 41 -- Chase Davidson, 1B, Georgia<br>Round 42 -- Hoke Granger, CF, Alabama HS<br>Round 43 -- David Grimes, OF, New York HS<br>Round 44 -- Blake Ford, RHP, Lamar University<br>Round 45 -- Christopher Epps, OF, Clemson<br>Round 46 -- Justin Shults, 1B, UC Riverside<br>Round 47 -- Zack Hardoin, LHP, Missouri<br>Round 48 -- Andrew Murray, C, New Jersey HS<br>Round 49 -- David Peterson, RHP, College of Charleston<br>Round 50 -- Colton Davis, OF, Florida HS</p>
<p>Long-time Astros draftniks may better remember Davidson from when the Astros drafted him in the third round out of high school in 2008. Lamothe is a story I want to get to work on tomorrow, but the basics on him: he's paralyzed. The Astros drafted him as a favor to his family.</p>
https://houston.sbnation.com/houston-astros/2011/6/8/2214312/mlb-draft-2011-resultsRivers McCown2011-06-08T11:00:58-05:002011-06-08T11:00:58-05:00MLB Draft 2011: Woodlands Pitcher Bryan Brickhouse Lands With Royals, Will He Sign?
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<p>Woodlands right-hander Bryan Brickhouse will have to make the biggest decision of his life by MLB's August 15th signing deadline. The right-hander has a scholarship to baseball power North Carolina, and was drafted by the <a href="https://www.royalsreview.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Royals</a> in the third round of the 2011 MLB Draft yesterday. Despite his obvious plusses as a prospect (namely, a mid-90's fastball) Brickhouse may be better served by becoming a Tar Heel and working on his consistency for a few years to really improve his draft stock. Baseball America <a target="_blank" href="http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/">said as much in it's look at him</a>:</p>
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<p>"He's not particularly big or athletic. He has effort in his delivery and doesn't always stay on top of his pitches. If he can develop consistency, Brickhouse might be a No. 3 starter."</p>
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<p>Of course, the Royals may make that a moot point by offering Brickhouse over-slot money, perhaps into the millions. It would be hard to pass up that kind of money--<a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_Harrington">Matt Harrington is the biggest cautionary tale in scouting lore</a>, but if he dominated in college, Brickhouse could potentially earn himself a much higher signing bonus.</p>
<p>It won't be an easy decision for Brickhouse at all, and he'll have to deal with the mental calculus and decide what is the best bet for him. </p>
https://houston.sbnation.com/houston-astros/2011/6/8/2213216/2011-mlb-draftRivers McCown2011-06-08T07:44:26-05:002011-06-08T07:44:26-05:002011 MLB Draft Results: Blue Jays Hit Houston Hard In Day Two Of Draft
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<p>Texas A&M right-hander John Stilson's draft stock was supposed to be crippled by a torn labrum, and though it is unlikely that he'll need surgery on it, the prevailing thought was that he'd be available well into Day 2. Instead, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bluebirdbanter.com/">Blue Jays</a> ignored the risk and snapped him up in the third round. Stilson could still wind up going back to the Aggies next season just because Toronto could seek to lowball him due to a number of picks that are considered to be hard to sign, but third round money has to be looking pretty good to the right-hander after the labrum tear. </p>
<p>The Blue Jays also selected University of Houston commit and Galveston native Aaron Garza in the tenth round, and it looks like he'll likely sign based on <a href="http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bb/7600129.html" target="_blank">Didier Morais' story in The Houston Chronicle today</a>:</p>
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<p>"The factors are if it's really the right fit for me," Garza said. "And I do really think I want to play professional baseball, so it just kind of boils down to that. There's not a day that goes by that I don't pick up a baseball."</p>
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<p>Toronto also tabbed Crosby's Jeremy Gabryszwski in the second round, a projectable lefty that could gain velocity as he fills out more. Add in the fact that they finally stopped Matt Dean's freefall, and it's safe to say that the Jays ruled Texas on Day Two.</p>
https://houston.sbnation.com/houston-astros/2011/6/8/2213127/mlb-draft-2011-resultsRivers McCown