to see the Aatrso draft 4 more Shortstops .

Also, what happened that deep ron of Big 12 pitchers we heard so much about?

2 Boston College players ?? How did Boston College do this year (in baseball) ?

“Robert Donovan (RHP) is the second player drafted by the Astros in the past five seasons (Chris Johnson being the other)”

just wondering what the rest of that thought was supposed to be. Thanks for the list. For all the talk of this draft being weak in the middle and left side of the infield positions, it’s curious that 6 of the top 10 picks by the Astros were at those positions.

6’4", 205 lbs, 12/14/1988
Drafted from the University of South Carolina – Sumter Fireants (badass mascot by the way).
Hyatt graduated from high school in 2007 and was originally recruited by the University of South Carolina. He had to have Tommy John surgery at some point before the season and he shifted his commitment to USC’s satellite campus 30 miles away. His stat line doesn’t look amazing, but he had a 91 mph fastball in high school. He was used mainly in relief at USC-Sumter, playing 16 games this season and starting only in 3. It looks like he would be moving on to Kennesaw State if he is not signed.

[AstroAndy’s comments: This is a fairly high pick for a guy who has not been extensively scouted outside the Astros system. This was probably his first real season back on the field after TJ surgery and taking him this high probably indicates that an Astros scout saw something good in his mechanics and not necessarily his results.]

5’9", 170, 4/5/1988
Drafed from University of Illinois
In 2009, Wikoff batted .373/.434/.544 in 54 games for the Fighting Illini and was named to the College Baseball Foundation’s All-Star Lineup. He finished the season strongly, with an 18-game hitting streak and was the first player from Illinois to hit for the cycle. He apparently has a good batting eye, striking out only 7 times in 228 AB, with 25 walks. He was undrafted out of high school, but understood that people were questioning his size. He used that as motivation to work extra hard at the next level. A common theme throughout this draft has been that the Astros value guys with good "makeup." It sounds like this pick also fits that template
MLB Scouting Video
Interview on Draft Day

5’11", 170, 8/24/1991

Drafted out of the American Military Academy HS in Puerto Rico
It’s very difficult to pull up information on Mr. Hernandez, but he appears to be another small-built shortstop. If anyone finds anything, please post it. My own wild and completely unfounded speculation is that he moves to another infield position.

MLB Scouting Video

6’02", 180, 1/1/1988

Drafted out of the University of Arkansas
Keuchel is a finesse pitcher whose fastball sits in the upper-80’s, low-90’s, with good movement and ability to locate it. He is also equipped with a well-regarded changeup. He was a workhorse in two summer campaigns against wood bats in the Cape Cod league, with a 2.63 ERA over 54 innings in 2008 and a 3.20 ERA over a league-leading 59 innings. Many thought he would be drafted around the 4th round, so he could be quite a steal in the 7th. I can’t find any video of the guy, but you can catch him and the rest of the Razorbacks in the College World Series.

Here’s a well-done profile on him from the Arkansas Democrat Gazette (this is also where I got the picture).

6’3", 185 lbs., 11/09/1987

Walker went to high school at St. Stevens in Austin, TX, and was a well-regarded prospect before he was selected in the 21st round of the 2006 draft by the Texas Rangers. Although he played on the same Stanford ballclub as Jason Castro, he hasn’t gotten much playing time. During the offseason, he refined his curveball and got his fastball up into the mid-90’s. As you would expect from a Stanford man, he’s very bright.

all these guys are on myspace and facebook. so as they progress and interesting things happen you can find out directly from them whats going on.

I’ve already been added to Hyatt and Wilkoffs facebook. Hopefully they will update us with inside info.

Kind of crazy but a new insight that the internet has added to sports.

He had signed with Texas Tech.