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Astros select LHP Brady Aiken with first-overall pick in 2014 MLB Draft

Pitcher drafted out of Cathedral Catholic HS; available via conference call tonight

HOUSTON, TX - The Houston Astros have selected left-handed pitcher Brady Aiken with the first pick in the 2014 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, Astros General Manager Jeff Luhnow announced tonight.

Aiken, 17, posted a 7-0 record and a 1.06 ERA in 11 starts in his senior season at Cathedral Catholic High School in San Diego, CA. He was a 2014 Perfect Game 1st Team All-American and an All Region 1st Teamer in California.

Aiken will be made available to the media tonight via conference call at 8 p.m. CT by dialing into 1-800-537-1097. The conference pass code is 927143#.

Aiken, who is two months shy of his 18th birthday, led Team USA to the gold medal at the 18-and-under World Cup in Taiwan last September by winning both of his starts, including a championship-game performance against Japan in which he struck out 10 and allowed one run in 7.0 innings.

"We've been following Brady Aiken for a while now and we feel that he is a young, dynamic, high-upside, left-handed pitcher," said Luhnow. "I couldn't be more excited for the Houston Astros and their future by adding this player to what already is a very strong system."

Aiken becomes just the fifth left-handed pitcher ever selected first overall in the draft and the first since David Price was selected by Tampa Bay first overall in 2007. This marks the second time Houston has selected a left-handed pitcher with the first selection in the draft as the Astros chose Floyd Bannister first overall in 1976.

Aiken is also the first high school lefty taken in the first five picks of the draft since the Orioles selected Adam Loewen with the fourth overall pick in 2002.

ABOUT THE FIRST PICK

BRADY AIKEN
Position: Left-handed pitcher
Bats/Throws: Left/Left
Height/Weight: 6-3/210
Age: 17
High School: Cathedral Catholic HS (CA)

This year marks the fifth time that the Astros have had the first overall pick in the MLB Draft. The previous four times were in 2014 (RHP Mark Appel), 2013 (SS Carlos Correa), 1992 (IF Phil Nevin) and 1976 (LHP Floyd Bannister). Houston has had the second overall pick once in their history, which came in 1969 (RHP J.R. Richard).

The Astros have another two selections tonight, pick number 37 and number 42. Selection number 37, which is in the Competitive Balance Round A, was acquired by Houston from Baltimore as part of the return in the 2013 Bud Norris trade. Selection number 42 is the first selection in the second round. Selection number 37 is tentatively scheduled to be made at 9:20 p.m. CT, while number 42 is scheduled for 9:28 p.m. CT.

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 7.

After the Astros make their final selection tonight, Astros Amateur Scouting Director Mike Elias and National Cross Checker David Post will be available to credentialed media in the press conference room at Minute Maid Park. The press box will remain open to working media covering the draft following the Astros-Angels 6:10 p.m. game. Media that do not have a season credential with the Astros must request a daily pass through the Astros Media Relations department.

Read More: Houston Astros