With the 1st pick of the 5th Round (159th overall), the Astros select 6'0" 194lb OF Andrew Aplin, a 21-year old Junior out of Arizona State.
He was initially drafted in 2009 by the Yankees, but didn't sign, and went to ASU because "it game him the best chance to win a College World Series."
Aplin played/started 56 games as the leadoff man for ASU in 2012, hitting .313/.392/.496, with 26 extra-base hits, 13K:27BB, and eight steals in 10 attempts.
His favorite player is Ken Griffey, Jr. and the A's are his favorite team.
Last week, Aplin had a big hand in preventing rival Arizona from clinching the Pac-12 championship. Arizona coach Andy Lopez:
“Aplin was a one-man show tonight. It’s that old axiom: Big players make big plays in big games.”
In three seasons at ASU, Aplin had a 39K:66BB ratio.
Baseball America has this to say about the pick:
Aplin was regarded as one of the best defensive center fielders on the West Coast. The defensive ability comes more from above-average instincts instead of pure tools. Aplin has good bat control but profiles best as a fourth outfielder.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
