With the first pick of the 9th Round of the 2014 MLB Draft (256th overall) the Astros select LHP Bryan Radziewski out of the University of Miami (FL).
Radziewski is a 5'10" 190lb senior, and was ranked #389 in Baseball America's Top 500 draft prospects. He was drafted last year by the Cardinals in the 29th round, but opted to return to school rather than sign with St. Louis. In 2014, he went 8-2 with a 2.86 ERA, and 111:48 K:BB in 100.2 IP. With his 308th college strikeout back in early May, he moved into 10th place all-time on Miami's career strikeout list.
In spite of all the strikeouts, "B-Rad" is a self-described "short, fat lefty" with a fastball that peaks at 88mph, but a nasty slider. He was 2013 Rawlings All-America Third Team and 2013 Louisville Slugger All-America Second Team, as well as 2013 All-ACC First Team. He only made five starts as a sophomore in 2012 before having season-ending shoulder surgery, but came back strong to be added to the Golden Spikes Award Watch List by midseason 2013.
He also turned this nifty double play against Carlos Rodon's NC State Wolfpack:
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
