With the 1st pick in the 23rd Round (699th overall), the Astros select 6'0" 160lb RHP Travis Ballew, a Junior out of Texas State University.
In his first full season as a full-time starter, Ballew was the 3rd Texas State pitcher to be named an All-American (3rd Team):
“I knew I had pretty good stats, so I had a feeling I’d be on there and it’s nice to be recognized. It’s a tough thing to get, especially in Division I baseball.”.
In 2012, he went 11-4 with a 2.73 ERA, and 119Ks in 102.1IP, with four complete games, and two CGSHOs.
Ballew was named the Southland's Pitcher of the Year, leading the conference in wins and strikeouts.
Ballew:
“I know my stuff is good and people will chase it if I throw it around the strike zone. I’ve grown up more and haven’t been so stressed out about how I’d pitch or things like that.”
This tweet indicates that Ballew expected to go between 5th-8th Rounds of the 2012 draft.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
