With their 31st Round pick...

...The Astros select 5'11" 205lb junior RF, 21-year old Jarrod McKinney out of the University of Arkansas.

McKinney comes out of Hughes Springs HS (Texas). Arkansas coach Van Horn said of McKinney, prior to this season:

"Jarrod is an outstanding athlete. I feel that he's really turned the corner. He had a season-ending knee injury midway through the season last year and that hurt us. We feel like he's made a big jump with the bat. He's rehabbed and worked as hard as anyone to come back and have a tremendous junior year. I think Jarrod has a great opportunity to be one of our starting outfielders. He can also play some first base. Offensively, he had a tremendous fall. Hopefully he can continue that."

In 2011, McKinney played in 54 games (50 starts), hitting .301/.398/.434 in 166 ABs, with 41K:20BB.

Perfect Game wrote in 2007:

He was a dynamic defensive outfielder with pro level right field tools. McKinney's offensive game wasn't as polished but the tools are there as well. He has a simple hitting approach and does a good job keeping his swing short to the ball. He has very good bat speed and present gap to gap power. McKinney attacked the ball aggressively early in counts and is not going to let a fastball get by him. He's still working on his timing, especially with his front foot. All the tools are there and they are the type that play in the pros. McKinney has also has an all out, hustling attitude that was unmistakable as well.