Penn State second-team All-American catcher Ben Heath, a fifth-round pick in the 2010 First-Year Player Draft, signed with the Houston Astros Sunday. (Photo courtesy of Penn State Athletics)
The Houston Astros announced Sunday the signing of Penn State power-hitting catcher Ben Heath, the team's fifth-round pick in the 2010 First-Year Player Draft.
Heath, 21, led the Nittany Lions in most offensive categories this season, hitting .369 with a school-record 19 homers, 57 RBI, 53 runs scored, 16 doubles, 148 total bases and a .747 slugging percentage.
He homered against six of Penn State's eight Big Ten opponents, including multiple home-run games versus Illinois, Michigan State and Ohio State.
The prestigious awards continue to pile in for Heath, who was named a PING!Baseball Second Team All-American on Friday, which marks his second All-America honor, along with Louisville Slugger Second Team All-America laurels announced last week.
Heath joined University of Miami first-round pick (No. 12 overall, Cincinnati Reds) Yasmani Grandal as the only two players in 2010 to be named an All-American, Dick Howser Trophy semifinalist and Johnny Bench Award semifinalist.
It's likely that Heath will begin his career with the Astros' short-season (A) affiliate Tri-City ValleyCats.
Also, Houston signed 49th round pick Kenny Diaz, a catcher out of Colegio Angel David High School in Puerto Rico.
The Astros have now signed 21 out of its 52 Draft picks.
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