KFDM COOP Posted July 12, 2008 Report Posted July 12, 2008 Astros agree to deal with first-round pick Castro The Astros have signed first-round pick Jason Castro, a Stanford junior catcher who was taken 10th overall in last month's draft. Terms of the deal weren't disclosed, but it's clear Castro, 20, received at least $2 million, which is what last year's 10th pick received. "He was treated very fairly," Astros scouting director Bobby Heck said, declining to divulge the amount of the deal. The 6-foot-3, 210-pounder will begin his professional career Monday at short-season A Tri-City. "I'm extremely happy to get him out and playing, which is the focal point of the time and effort that were put in the negotiations the last few weeks," Heck said. "But it really intensified over the last few days. "A lot was driven by our will to get him out playing and really the kid. He wanted to get out playing sooner than later. He made no bones about it. He helped push the process along. The kid was pushing for this, pushing for closure. He's been itching to get out playing." After a breakout summer at the Cape Cod League, Castro led Stanford to the College World Series while hitting .376 with 14 home runs and 73 RBIs over 67 games this past season. "One, I've talked all along of trying to target players who are in the middle of the field, athletic and offensive," Heck said. "And (Castro) hits all three of the criteria. Not withstanding that this guy is a complete player. He can hit, he can hit for power, he can throw and he has defensive ability and he can run. He's a very good baseball player who has good speed, and it's not typical catcher-type speed." Astros general manager Ed Wade has credited Heck with driving the negotiations. Heck in turn credited area scout Joe Graham, who scouted, recommended and signed Castro after following the Castro Valley, Calif., native for more than a year.
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