Astros select RHP Andrew Thurman with first selection in second round (40th overall)

HOUSTON -- Earlier tonight, the Houston Astros selected right-handed pitcher Andrew Thurman with the first pick in the second round (40th overall) of the 2013 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. The announcement was made by Astros General Manager Jeff Luhnow and by Astros Amateur Scouting Director Mike Elias.

Thurman, 21, posted a 3.23 ERA (36ER/100.1IP) with three complete games in 14 starts for the Anteaters this season. He recorded 91 strikeouts in his 100.1 innings of work, while holding opponents to a .234 batting average. In his career at UCI, Thurman was a two-time All-Big West Conference first-team honoree. He registered a career record of 18-10 on the mound with a 3.19 ERA.

"We're thrilled with our two selections, especially when we can back up an arm with another arm on the same day," said Elias. "They're two solid building blocks, and not only were they the two best players on our board in both spots, but it also fits our needs at this period of time. We need pitching depth, and these are two starting pitchers with everything going for them."

ABOUT THE 40TH PICK

ANDREW THURMAN

Position: Right-handed pitcher

Bats/Throws: Right/Right

Height/Weight: 6-3/205

Age: 21

College: UC Irvine

High School: Orange Lutheran HS (CA)

Tonight's portion of the draft included only the first and second rounds out of a scheduled 40, and will resume tomorrow beginning at 12 p.m. CT. Rounds 3-10 are scheduled for tomorrow and the draft will conclude with the final 30 rounds on Saturday, June 8.