Astros agree to terms with 9th-rounder Person
Left-handed pitcher will report to Class A affiliate this week
HOUSTON -- Ninth-round Draf pick Zac Person told MLB.com that he agreed to terms with the Astros on Saturday. The club has not confirmed.
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Person, a left-handed relief pitcher out of LSU, plans to travel from his home in Eunice, La., to join Houston's Class A Short Season Tri-City Valley Cats of the New York-Penn League on Thursday.
"I was always a fan," Person said of the Houston franchise. "Started keeping up with them once I got to college and started understanding the Minor League system a little bit more. As far as farm talent, they're top of the league, as far as development and handling their players the right way, they're up there too. There's not many organizations that would have been a better fit in my eyes."
Person idolized Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell as he grew up two hours away, often making the trek to see his favorite players in person.
A setup man and late-inning reliever during his final two seasons, Person sported a 2-0 record in 31 appearances for LSU in 2015, striking out 36 in 31 innings. His 31 appearances were tied for most on LSU's team -- which was eliminated from the College World Series on Thursday in an 8-4 loss to TCU.
Person, who throws only a fastball and curveball, started that game, lasting 1 1/3 innings and surrendering three earned runs on three hits. His top priority in the Minors is developing a third pitch.
"That's actually Plan A for me, is developing a changeup," Person said.
Person will see a familiar face in Tri-City -- LSU shortstop and No. 2 overall pick Alex Bregman.
"You're going to be Bregman's teammate still," Person said his teammates told him.
"Yeah, for a week," he shot back. "He'll get shipped up."