Eibner, a member of the 2006 TWHS 5A state and national champion squad and also the state-ranked 2007 team, was selected in the fourth round of the pro baseball draft on Thursday by the Astros. Houston didn't have a selection in the first two rounds and picked St. Ignatius (Ohio) High School third baseman Derek Dietrich in the third round before taking Eibner with its fourth-round pick (141st overall selection).
"I'm definitely pumped," said Eibner, who had a small viewing party at his home with family and close friends. "It's the hometown team. I love it. Most kids don't get to do that. ...I told (the Astros) I would sign. We haven't negotiated yet."
Eibner said playing on the 2006 TWHS team with Kyle Drabek, who was picked in last year's first round by the Phillies, was a big help to him.
|
|
Eibner moved to The Woodlands before his junior year from North Carolina after his father was transferred. He became a starter in left field on last year's national title team in the game right before the playoffs started, when he belted a pair of homers in a warmup game victory over Brenham.
"It was great for me to move in and help the team win the state and national championships last year," said Eibner. "Most kids who move in don't get to do that. I was really honored to get the opportunity."
This year Eibner started in right field and also pitched. He batted .417 with a .783 slugging percentage, a .514 on-base percentage and had an OPS (on-base percentage plus slugging percentage) of 1.297. He smacked six homers, scored 20 runs and had 15 RBIs.
The Astros are looking at Eibner for his pitching prowess. This season he was 5-0 with a 2.80 ERA in 35 innings, allowing 23 hits and 24 walks while striking out 58. He averaged 11.6 strikeouts per seven innings and consistently threw the ball 92-93 miles per hour for several pro teams.
Eibner had already earned a baseball scholarship to the University of Arkansas, where his brother Drew is on the Razorback men's golf team.
"It's exciting for anybody to be drafted, especially by the Astros," said TWHS head coach Ron Eastman. "They showed a lot of interest this year. He threw for them at Minute Maid this week. It's exciting for me because he's a super young man."
