With the 1st pick of the 6th Round (167th overall), the Astros select 6'3" 200lb Jacob Nottingham, a right-handed hitting catcher from Redlands High School in California.
Nottingham was the Citrus Belt League MVP, hitting .543/.629 with 7 HR and 31 RBI in 70 AB.
Baseball America ranked him 114 in their Top 250 Draft Prospects. Jonathan Mayo had this to say:
"A two-sport standout for Redlands, Nottingham chose baseball over a scholarship offer to play tight end at Arizona. He is committed to Oklahoma for baseball, if he doesn’t sign with a Major League team after the Draft. Nottingham’s best asset is his power, which has the potential to develop into a plus tool. His swing has a tendency to get long, but he doesn’t get cheated at the plate. Defensively, he has the tools necessary to become a steady receiver and has a good arm. Nottingham is an aggressive player who has a good understanding for the game."
Perfect Game USA profiles him over here, and his scouting video is over here.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
