With their 2nd Round pick (61st overall), the Astros select 5'11" 192lb shortstop Nolan Fontana out of the University of Florida. Slot recommendation for the 61st overall selection is $844,100.
This tweet informs us that Fontana was Keith Law's #44 in his top 100 and #46 in Baseball America's Top 500.
Fontana, a junior who turns 21 tomorrow, hit .294/.414/.465 in 62 games for the Gators, with 13 stolen bases in 14 attempts. He struck out 25 times with 46 walks this season. Fontana is the grandson of Lew Burdette, a member of the 1957 World Series champion Milwaukee Braves.
Perfect Game called him a "Pedroia-type player."
Fontana won’t overwhelm scouts with any of his individual tools, but is the classic college player whose total exceeds the sum of the parts. He is extremely steady in all phases of his game and a major reason why Florida has dominated the collegiate ranks pretty much since he took over for the Gators as their starting shortstop in 2010...
...it’s safe to say that there isn’t a steadier, more sure-handed shortstop in the college ranks than Fontana, and he has already been recognized twice with Rawlings Gold Glove awards at his position.
College Sports Madness says:
Defensively speaking, there is no better shortstop available in the 2012 Major League Baseball draft than Nolan Fontana.
OnlyGators.com says that Fontana could move over to 2B.
Fontana does a lot of things extremely well but nothing particularly great even though his stellar defense has been a bright spot for Florida throughout his career.
MLB.com says Fontana could be "the kind of super utility man championship-caliber teams tend to have."
John Sickels:
Excellent glove, gets on base, some question if he'll hit enough at higher levels to be a regular, but a sure bet to reach the majors at least as a bench guy.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
