Astros sign 11th round pick Patrick Sandoval

The Houston Astros and Director of Amateur Scouting Mike Elias announced the signing of the team's 11th-round pick left-handed pitcher Patrick Sandoval.

#Astros announced signing of LHP Patrick Sandoval, 18, selected in the 11th round of the 2015 MLB First Year Player Draft.

— Houston Astros (@astros) July 7, 2015

Sandoval, 18, was selected out of Mission Viejo High School in California. he left-handed pitcher stands at 6-foot-3, 190 pounds. Sandoval was selected as a 2015 Perfect Game All-American and a California All-Region First Team selection, while leading his team to Southern Section Division II Championship with a two-hit complete game on June 6. He was 9-3 with a 0.97 ERA (13ER/93.2IP) and 106 strikeouts during his senior season.

Elias said of Sandoval:

"Patrick is a premium high school lefty whom our staff followed all spring," said Elias. "He has good size, a lively fastball that he locates well, and a solid curveball and changeup in place. We like the blend of pitchability, stuff and projection he offers, and to add a talent of his caliber is a big boost to our organization and our draft class."

MLB.com's Jim Callis is reporting the Astros gave Sandoval a $900,000 signing bonus.

11th-rder Patrick Sandoval signs w/@Astros for $900k ($800k vs pool). Calif HS LHP, already to 92, flashes hammer curve. @MLBDraft

— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) July 7, 2015

If the Astros in fact did sign Sandoval for $900,000, how can they? Where is the money coming from? The MLB rules stipulate first $100,000 isn't reflected on the Astros Signing Bonus Pool for players selected after the tenth round -- but everything after that does. Houston also saved around $ 249,200 from their pick in the first 10 rounds, leaving about $550,800 uncovered. The Astros can surpass their draft signing bonus pool ($17,289,200) by five percent while paying a 75% tax on the overage. That five percent equates out to $ 864,460, leaving Houston with around $313,600 if they choose to use it.

Even if they don't use it, getting Sandoval alone is a victory.