The Astros select another shortstop, Brandon Wikoff, a 5'9" 170lb junior from the University of Illinois.
Wikoff was a 2-time Big Ten Player of the Week, bats left / throws right. For Illinois in 2008, Wikoff hit .369 with a team-high 61 RBIs and tied for the team lead with 12 doubles.
Last Friday, Wikoff was named to the Second Team All-Ping All-Stars. Apparently, this means Wikoff was honored as one of the top four collegiate shortstops in the country.
In an article in the Peoria Journal-Star:
Over a three-year career at Illinois, Wikoff started 164 games and hit .343 for his career with 127 RBIs. Those numbers, combined with his outstanding fielding skills, have given scouts, including (scout Tom) Couston, reason to reconsider.
"I'm crazy about Wikoff because of his abilities and his makeup," Couston said. "There's no doubt he's going to play in the big leagues."
Right now, Wikoff is projected to be selected somewhere between rounds 4-10. If he falls lower than the 15th round, he will return to Illinois for his senior season.
"I've heard from 15 to 20 MLB teams," said Wikoff, currently playing summer ball in Madison, Wis. "The most consistent have been the Cardinals and Reds."
Eat it, Cardinals and Reds!
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
