...The Astros select 6'3" 205lb catcher Miles Hamblin, a 22-year old senior out of Ole Miss.
Hamblin, originally from Rowlett, TX, hit .259/.381/.430 for Ole Miss in 2011, with 33K:25BB and 14XBHs, stealing seven bases in eight attempts, and a .992 Fld%.
At Howard College in Big Spring, Hamblin played C/1B and was a National JuCo All-American, and a Rawlings Gold Glove Award winner, hitting .429 with 17HR, helping Howard to a 63-1 record and a JuCo National Championship.
In February '09, the Baseball Draft Report said that Hamblin "is a promising bat who should be able to stick behind the plate long-term," and later said:
Hamblin has above-average power potential and a live bat, plus he has the added advantage of being close to a sure bet of sticking behind the plate as a professional. His outstanding performance this season for a dominant junior college team has scouts buzzing. Lefty power, a great catcher’s frame, strong throwing arm (mid-80s fastball in high school), and a mature approach at the plate.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
