Astros sign second-round selection Nolan Fontana
Shortstop drafted out of the University of Florida
HOUSTON, TX - The Houston Astros announced today the signing of infielder Nolan Fontana, whom they selected in the second round in the 2012 MLB First Year Player Draft. Terms of the contract were not disclosed. Astros Assistant General Manager/Director of Scouting Bobby Heck made the official announcement.
Fontana, 21, took batting practice this afternoon with the Astros Major League club at Minute Maid Park after signing the contract. He was signed by Astros area scout John Martin.
“Nolan is a player that we are very excited about,” said Astros General Manager Jeff Luhnow. “He was a proven performer from the college ranks and for us, he represents everything that we’re going to be looking for in the future. He’s a player that excels defensively at a premium position and has proven his capabilities offensively as well.”
Fontana hit .284 (69x243) with 10 doubles, nine home runs, 30 RBI, 59 runs scored and a .406 on-base percentage in 66 games as the Florida Gators everyday shortstop and leadoff hitter. The left-handed hitting Fontana led the Gators to the 2012 College World Series before his club’s elimination last Monday. Fontana received Second Team All-SEC and All-Defensive Team honors this season. He was named to the All-SEC Team and to the All-SEC Defensive Team in all three of his seasons with the Gators.
“To say I’m excited would be an understatement right now,” said Fontana. “After this weekend, I’m going to get after it. That’s what I’m looking forward to.”
A native of Winter Garden, Florida, Fontana was the Astros third selection in the 2012 draft and was the 61st player taken overall.
ABOUT THE 2ND ROUNDER
NOLAN FONTANA
Position: Shortstop
Bats/Throws: Left/Right
Height/Weight: 5-11/192
Age: 21
College: The University of Florida
The Astros have now signed 10 of their 11 selections within the top 10 rounds and 30 of their 41 overall picks in the 2012 First-Year Player Draft. Below is a list of Houston’s signed draft selections.
Rnd Pick Last First POS Assigned To Date Signed
1 1 Correa Carlos SS GCL 6/7/2012
1 41 McCullers Lance RHP GCL 6/18/2012
2 61 Fontana Nolan SS Lexington 6/26/2012
3 96 Rodgers Brady RHP Tri-City 6/6/2012
4 129 Ruiz Rio 3B GCL 6/25/2012
5 159 Aplin Andrew CF Tri-City 6/7/2012
6 189 Phillips Brett CF GCL 6/11/2012
8 249 Heineman Tyler C Tri-City 6/22/2012
9 279 Minor Daniel RHP Greenville 6/8/2012
10 309 Bircher Joseph LHP Tri-City 6/9/2012
12 369 Joyce Terrell LF Greenville 6/7/2012
13 399 Holmes Brian LHP Tri-City 6/7/2012
14 429 Sclafani Joseph SS Greenville 6/7/2012
15 459 Gonzalez Erick RHP GCL 6/7/2012
16 489 Gulbransen Daniel LF Tri-City 6/8/2012
17 519 West Aaron RHP Tri-City 6/8/2012
18 549 Gingras Richard C Greenville 6/7/2012
19 579 Elkins Austin 2B Tri-City 6/8/2012
21 639 Wik Marc CF Greenville 6/11/2012
22 669 Long Kenneth LHP Tri-City 6/10/2012
23 699 Ballew Travis RHP Tri-City 6/9/2012
25 759 Dineen Ryan 3B/SS Tri-City 6/10/2012
28 849 Ibanez Angel 3B Greenville 6/8/2012
29 879 Garcia Christian RHP Greenville 6/8/2012
30 909 Neely John RHP Tri-City 6/7/2012
31 939 Cokinos M.P. C/1B Tri-City 6/7/2012
33 999 Hauschild Michael RHP Greenville 6/10/2012
34 1029 Jankowski Jordan RHP Greenville 6/8/2012
36 1089 Martinez Michael 1B Greenville 6/9/2012
37 1119 Dimock Michael RHP Greenville 6/8/2012