Astros Select Bregman, Tucker with Second and Fifth Overall Picks
The Houston Astros have selected shortstop Alex Bregman and outfielder Kyle Tucker with the second and fifth overall picks in the 2015 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.
Bregman, 21, is hitting .316 (77x244) with 16 doubles, six home runs, 47 RBI and 12 stolen bases in what is his junior season at LSU. The right-handed hitting shortstop has 27 walks and just 21 strikeouts for a .397 on-base percentage in his 63 games this season. He is the starting shortstop and number three hitter for the Tigers, who just advanced to the College World Series with a 6-3 win over Louisiana-Lafayette in the Super Regionals yesterday.
Bregman is one of four finalists for the 2015 Golden Spikes Award, which is given annually to the nation's top collegiate player, and is also a candidate for the Brooks Wallace Shortstop of the Year Award, which he also won as a freshman in 2013. He is a four-time USA Baseball National Team alum, as well as a First-Team All-SEC and First-Team All-American selection this season.
A native of Albuquerque, N.M., Bregman was drafted out of high school in the 29th round of the June 2012 draft by Boston, but opted to attend LSU.
Tucker, 18, hit .484 with 10 home runs, 27 RBI and 29 runs scored in his senior year at Plant High School in Tampa, Fla. The left-handed hitting outfielder was named the 2014-15 Gatorade Florida Baseball Player of the Year, an award also won by several standout Major Leaguers, including Derek Jeter, Chipper Jones, David Price, Roy Halladay and the Astros own Lance McCullers.
Tucker is the younger brother of Astros outfielder Preston Tucker, who the Astros selected in the seventh round of the 2012 June Draft out of the University of Florida.
Taken fifth overall, Tucker is the highest outfielder drafted by the Astros in franchise history. Willie Ansley previously held that distinction as he was drafted by Houston with the seventh overall selection in the 1988 Draft.
Overall, Houston will make four total selections tonight, including the first pick in the Competitive Balance A Round (#37 overall), and the fourth pick in the second round (#46 overall). The Astros received the 37th overall pick in last year's trade with the Marlins that also netted Houston outfielder Jake Marisnick and two minor leaguers: right-handed pitcher Francis Martes and third baseman Colin Moran. Those selections are expected to be made at approximately 9:20 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. CT.
For those wishing to cover tonight's draft from Minute Maid Park, media can enter through the 1st base entrance with an Astros season credential. Media parking is available in the Diamond Lot or Lot A. Media that do not have a season credential with the Astros must request a daily pass through the Astros Media Relations department.
Astros General Manager Jeff Luhnow and Astros Amateur Scouting Director Mike Elias will also be made available after their final selection tonight in the lobby of Union Station at Minute Maid Park at approximately 9:45 p.m.
After tonight, the draft will resume tomorrow (rounds 3-10) and Wednesday (rounds 11-40), with tomorrow's selections starting at noon CT and Wednesday's commencing at 11 a.m. CT. MLB.com will stream all 40 rounds of the 2015 Draft.
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