The 2016 MLB Draft is in the rearview mirror. The Houston Astros have their 40 draft selections. The team officially announced six signings earlier this week and now have eight more to add to the list.
The Astros Director of Amateur Scouting Mike Elias officially announced the signings of left-handed pitcher Brett Adcock, outfielder Stephen Wrenn, right-handed pitcher Nick Hernandez, left-handed pitcher Ryan Hartman, right-handed pitcher Dustin Hunt, outfielder Carmen Benedetti and infielder Brody Westmoreland on Thursday. The team also announced the signing of second-round pick outfielder Ronnie Dawson on Friday.
Dawson is in Houston and will take the field with the Astros during batting practice. Dawson and Elias met the media on Friday with Dawson donning an Astros jersey and cap.
#Astros scouting director Mike Elias presents second-round pick @ronniedawsonn with his first Astros jersey pic.twitter.com/TLC7SAydk3
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) June 17, 2016
Adcock, the Astros' 4th round pick, was 7-5 with a 3.22 ERA, 100 strikeouts, 62 walks, .190 batting average against in 78 1/3 innings last season at Michigan. He was selected to the Big Ten all-conference second team.
Wrenn, the Astros' 6th round pick, batted .297 (62x209) with six doubles, four triples, five home runs, 12 stolen bases and 26 RBI with the Bulldogs in 2015-16 season. In the outfield, he had 463 putouts, 10 assists, and three errors last season.
Hernandez, the Astros' 8th pick, was 3-0 with a 1.40 ERA in 29 games as the Cougars' closer with 11 saves with the University of Houston this season.
Hartman, the Astros' 9th pick, was 10-1 with a 0.64 ERA with the Bulldogs, he collected 129 strikeouts and 12 walks in 98 innings last season.
Hunt, the Astros' 10th pick, had a 5-5 record with a 4.96 ERA in 15 appearances (14 starts), he had 82 strikeouts and 26 walks in 78 innings last season.
Benedetti, the Astros' 12th pick, batted .326 (63x193) in 54 games for the Wolverines. He had 44 runs scored, 19 doubles, two triples, three home runs, and 33 RBIs last season.
Westmoreland, the Astros' 30th pick, batted .366 (64x175) with 15 doubles, three triples, 14 home runs, and 64 RBIs in 54 games last season.
Dawson hit .331 (85x257) with 25 doubles, 13 home runs, 21 stolen bases and 51 RBI this season at Ohio State University. The left-handed hitting outfielder was a First Team All-Big Ten selection and was named the Big Ten Tournament Most Outstanding Player in 2016, which was his junior year. He also earned third-team All-American honors from Baseball America and Louisville Slugger.