HOUSTON, TX - The Houston Astros have signed second-round pick, third baseman Joe Perez. Perez was taken with the 53rd overall selection in the 2017 MLB Draft as the first of Houston's two second-round picks. Terms of the contract were not disclosed. The official announcement was made by Astros Assistant General Manager of Scouting and Player Development Mike Elias.
Perez, 17, was drafted by the Astros as a third baseman but was a two-way player at Archbishop McCarthy High School in Southwest Ranches, Fla. During his senior season, the right-handed hitter batted .526 (40x76) with 14 doubles, three triples and nine home runs. From the mound, he posted a 1.88 ERA and 40 strikeouts in just 18.2 innings in eight appearances. Perez was a 2017 Rawlings-Perfect Game First Team All-American and a 2017 Florida - All Region First Team selection.
Houston has now signed 26 of its 42 selections from the 2017 draft, including eight of their 12 selections made within the top 10 rounds.
Major League Baseball's deadline to sign drafted players is July 7 at 4:00 p.m. CT.
-ASTROS-