With the 2012 MLB Draft less than 24 hours away and an off-day tomorrow lets, with game 54 being played today, look at the history of the Astros picking 54th in the MLB draft. The Astros have had the 54th selection three times and I'd be hard pressed to find a fan that could name even one of them.
The first time the Astros selected with the 54th pick they selected right handed pitcher Randy Hennis. The only one of the three to reach the majors, Hennis, appeared in three games with one start and a total of 9.2 innings in 1990 at the age of 24. Things went well for Hennis allowing one hit, issuing three walks and striking out four batters, but he never made it back to the majors. Coincidentally, his jersey number was 54.
The next time the Astros had the 54th selection was 1996. With the the pick they selected right handed pitcher John Huber. Huber drafted out of high school pitched two seasons in the minors and never appeared in pro-ball again. He had a 1-6 record with a 4.86 ERA in 53.2 innings.
The most recent 54th selection for the Astros was back in 2001, when they selected Mike Rodriguez a college outfielder. Rodriguez played eight years in the Astros farm system and nine years overall. He made it as high as AAA where he hit for a .275/.345/.384 line, in two seasons. He played one year in Baltimore's system and one year in independent ball.
The Astros have the 1, 41, 61 and 96 picks in this years draft.