Astros draft likely UT Austin-bound Clemens
HOUSTON -- Roger Clemens has worked with young ballplayers, many of whom went on to hear their names called in the MLB Draft.
Wednesday's final rounds of the 2015 Draft gave him another name to add to the list.
Clemens' youngest son, Kody, was selected in the 35th round with the Astros' 1,039th pick. A Memorial High School graduate and University of Texas commit, Kody told MLB.com in a text message he will honor his commitment to Texas, where his brother Kacy is a rising junior.
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"Being selected in the 2015 MLB draft is a great Honor," Kody's text message read. "Especially since it was by the hometown team. And a team my pops enjoyed coming home to play for. I am currently focused on finishing up my HS season by getting ready to play in two All-Star State games. Then a very hard summer workout program to get prepared to help get the Horns back to Omaha!"
Kody, a shortstop, came to the Astros' pre-Draft workout at Minute Maid Park with his father and impressed Houston's director of scouting, Mike Elias.
"Put a couple balls out with a wood bat, which is impressive," Elias said. "He's a really good left-handed hitter. He's signed with the University of Texas, and I imagine he'd want to honor that commitment, but we'll talk to him and see what his thoughts are."
In a text message to MLB.com, Roger reiterated his son's commitment to Texas and said Kody would re-enter the Draft in 2017.
"It's always cool to hear your child's name, or young men around the state that I have personally worked with, get their names called," Roger said in the text message. "And today was no exception. What a nice surprise!"