With the 1st pick of the 9th Round (257th overall), the Astros select 5'10" 190lb Brian Holberton, a Junior left-handed hitting C from North Carolina.
Holberton was used by the Tar Heels as a utility man, hitting .309/.422/.505 with 10 HR and 52 RBI in 220 AB this season. UNC is ranked #1 in NCAA Division I this season, and coach Mike Fox said of Holberton, "He's been the key to our team. That kid'll play anywhere, hit anywhere in the lineup. He's having a sensational year."
He also played in Minute Maid Park earlier this year with fellow Astros draftee Kent Emanuel, going 4x7 with 2 RBI in the three games of the Astros Foundation College Classic.
His bio with North Carolina is over here, and Perfect Game USA profiled him over here. There's a scouting video for him here.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
