Wednesday, June 8, 2005
John Mayberry Jr. was a first-round pick.
NEW YORK (AP) -- The Houston Astros hope to have another Rocket winning games for them some day.
Roger Clemens' slugger son, Koby, was selected in the eighth round Tuesday by the Astros -- one of many players with famous bloodlines taken on the first day of baseball's amateur draft.
Koby Clemens, who signed a letter of intent with the University of Texas -- his father's alma mater -- was a standout third baseman for Memorial High School in Houston. He also showed some glimpses of his famous father on the mound, throwing two no-hitters and flashing a fastball in the low-90s.
Clemens and his wife were not with the Astros on their trip to play the New York Mets.
"Koby, Roger and Debbie are thrilled that the Astros selected Koby," said the Rocket's agent, Randy Hendricks.
"As most everyone knows, Koby has committed to playing baseball at the University of Texas," he said. "Given the Astros' interest in Koby, and the possibility that Roger and Koby might some day play together, Koby will have a lot to think about in the coming weeks."
More family ties
Houston also went the family route in the supplemental round, when the Astros took Tennessee outfielder Eli Iorg, the son of former major league Garth Iorg, with the 38th pick.
Arizona outfielder Trevor Crowe, the son of former professional golfer David Crowe, was selected by Cleveland as the 14th overall pick.
John Mayberry Jr., the son of former big league slugger John Mayberry, went in the first round to Texas with the 19th pick.
Virginia high school catcher Brandon Snyder, son of former big league pitcher Brian Snyder, was the 13th overall pick by Baltimore. Oklahoma high school shortstop C.J. Henry, son of former Kansas basketball player Carl Henry, went No. 17 to the New York Yankees.
Others sons drafted included: Clemson right-hander Kris Harvey (Bryan Harvey); South Carolina shortstop Steven Tolleson (Wayne Tolleson); Central Florida catcher Drew Butera (Sal Butera); high school shortstop Ivan DeJesus (Ivan DeJesus); California high school shortstop Jared Lansford (Carney Lansford); Princeton outfielder Will Venable (Max Venable); and Missouri high school outfielder Scott Van Slyke (Andy Van Slyke).
Florida high school infielder Jemele Weeks, the brother of Milwaukee top prospect Rickie Weeks, and Missouri high school outfielder Will Pujols, the cousin of Albert Pujols, also were taken.