Astros select Nate Freiman

With their 2nd pick in the Rule 5 draft, the Astros select Gigantor 6'7" 225lb righty Nate Freiman (who will be 26 at the end of the month) from the Padres, their 8th Round pick in the 2009 draft.

At Double-A San Antonio in 2012, Freiman hit .298/.370/.502 - with a .324 BABIP - in line with his career slash line of .294/.364/.482. Freiman hit 24 homers, and his HR total has increased in each of his first four seasons (11 in 2009, 14 in 2010, 22 in 2011, and 24 in 2012). He led the Texas League in games, hits, and RsBI.

The Padres apparently didn't think he'd be selected, but the Astros said they wouldn't have made a selection if Freiman wasn't available.

He has spent his entire minor-league career at 1B, with six appearances at DH.