With the 611th pick...

The Astros select 6'3" 194lb RF J.D. Martinez from Nova Southeastern University in Florida.

This season, Martinez had one of the best single seasons at the plate in NSU Baseball history, batting .428 with 15 home runs and 57 runs batted in. He set a single season program record in runs scored (73) while placing second in batting average. He landed in the top ten in slugging percentage (.770), hits (80), home runs (15), RBI's (57), total bases (144) and walks (41). He set the NSU career home run record on April 17th vs. Barry University by hitting his 31st home run of his career.

In 2008, Martinez hit .370 with a career high 12 home runs and 56 runs batted in.. He had the second most at-bats, runs scored, hits, doubles, homers, total bases on the team while leading the squad with 56 RBI's. Finished with 21 multiple hit and 10 multiple RBI games. Honored as a 1st Team All-SSC player...Also named to the DAKTRONICS All-South Region baseball second team and NCWBA All-South Region first team.

Ping Baseball:
Not only is the 6’4”, 200 pound hitter handy with the bat, he has a soft touch with the mitt as well. He has a strong arm and respectable speed and the ability to change a game with a catch or rifling throw just as easy as he can in the batter’s box.

NSU Athletic Director Michael Mominey:
“J.D. has worked hard to become the player he has become. He came from a tremendous high school program and understood what it was like to compete at a high level. We knew he had the tools to become an All American type of player at the college level. J.D. has improved on his strengths and weaknesses over the past three years and has become one of the better overall players in the Sunshine State Conference and maybe in the country.”