With the 1st pick of the 4th Round (107th overall), the Astros select 6'3" 220lb Conrad Gregor, a Junior left-handed hitting 1B from Vanderbilt.
Gregor was a 2013 Louisville Slugger Preseason All-American and a 2013 SEC All-Tournament performer, posting a .314/.443/.418 line with 3 HR and 47 RBI in 220 AB. He was previously drafted in the 40th round in 2010 by the Chicago White Sox.
Vanderbilt head coach Tim Corbin:
"Conrad is a complete student-athlete in every way. He brings a rare everyday energy and focus to everything that he does. He is one of the conference's premier players and will help lead our team for the third year in a row. He had another productive fall on the field and in the classroom as well as winning the Omaha Challenge* for the position players for the second year in a row."
Jonathan Mayo had this to say:
"Gregor, out of Vanderbilt, is an advanced college bat with an idea at the plate and power potential. He hasn't hit for as much power this year as many scouts would like to see from a college first baseman, but he has shown good power in the past and has shown an ability to hit for average and draw walks. Some believe that he may even be athletic enough to play a corner outfield position in pro ball. Even if he is able to handle the outfield, Gregor's bat will be what carries him."
College Baseball Daily ranked him #51 in their Top 100 College Players before the 2013 season. His Vanderbilt bio page is here.
*The Omaha Challenge is a strength and conditioning event, outlined here.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
