Detroit Tigers Select Nick Castellanos' Brother In 2015 Draft [VIDEO]
DENNIS WASZAK Jr., AP Sports Writer
NEW YORK (AP) — The Houston Astros are bringing another Biggio on board. Another Rocket, too.
Notre Dame outfielder Conor Biggio, son of Hall of Famer Craig Biggio, was selected by the Astros in the 34th round of the Major League Baseball draft on Wednesday.
One round later, the Astros took Texas high school shortstop Kody Clemens, the youngest son of seven-time Cy Young winner Roger Clemens.
It was quite a family-friendly draft for the Astros, who also took the brother of current outfielder Preston Tucker (outfielder Kyle Tucker, fifth overall) and son of former All-Star Mike Cameron (outfielder Daz Cameron, 37th overall) on Monday night.
The draft finished Wednesday night, with 1,215 players selected — the last being Oral Roberts right-hander Jacob McDavid by the Angels — over 40 rounds. Vanderbilt shortstop Dansby Swanson was the No. 1 overall pick by Arizona.
The younger Biggio hit .263 with one RBI and four stolen bases in 26 games for the Fighting Irish during his senior season, serving mainly as a speedy pinch runner during his college career. The Astros drafted his famous father, who'll be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame next month, with the 22nd overall pick of the 1987 draft.
There could be another Biggio on the way: Conor's younger brother, Cavan, just completed his sophomore season as Notre Dame's starting second baseman and will be draft eligible next year.
Kody Clemens has committed to the University of Texas, where his father pitched and his older brother Kacy — a 35th-rounder of the Astros in 2013 — currently plays. The elder Clemens pitched three seasons for Houston.
Miami added the son of "Mr. Marlin" Jeff Conine, taking Florida high school outfielder Griffin Conine in the 31st round. The elder Conine, a Marlins special assistant, played for the franchise's World Series championship teams in 1997 and 2003.
The Marlins also drafted Nova Southeastern University infielder-outfielder Alexander Fernandez, son of former pitcher Alex Fernandez, in the 25th round.
"Any time you have bloodlines like that, it kind of helps the odds," vice president of scouting Stan Meek said. "They've been around it. They're not intimidated by it. That really helps when you start talking about the development of players."
Five days after switch-pitcher Pat Venditte made his big league debut with Oakland, Cleveland drafted Judson University's Ryan Perez, who has been clocked at over 90 mph from both sides — lefty and righty. He was 4-1 with a 4.61 ERA this season as a junior at the NAIA school, and was the Cape Cod League All-Star game MVP last summer.
Several other names of players following in famous footsteps were called as the draft wrapped up with rounds 11-40.
Philadelphia general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. drafted his nephew, University of Tampa outfielder Andrew Amaro, in the 35th round. He also took Pennsylvania high school outfielder Griffin Morandini, son of former Phillies second baseman Mickey Morandini, in the 39th.
Angels GM Jerry Dipoto took his son, California high school right-hander Jonah Dipoto, in the 38th round. Mets special assistant J.P. Ricciardi saw his son Dante, a Massachusetts high school shortstop, selected by Seattle in the 39th.
Owner Jerry Reinsdorf's White Sox took his grandson Joseph, an Illinois high school second baseman, in the final round.
Detroit gave third baseman Nick Castellanos the honor of making the announcement on the draft conference call that the Tigers selected his brother Ryan, a right-hander from Nova Southeastern, in the 25th round.
Among other familiar names drafted on the final day were: Cal State Fullerton second baseman Jake Jefferies (son of Gregg Jefferies), State College of Florida Manatee shortstop Brantley Bell (son of Jay Bell), East Carolina right-hander David Lucroy (brother of Jonathan Lucroy), Pepperdine second baseman Hutton Moyer (son of Jamie Moyer) and Arkansas high school righty Andy Pagnozzi (son of Tom Pagnozzi).
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AP Sports Writer Steven Wine in Miami contributed to this report.
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