Seven rounds after the Rangers picked Johnathan Taylor, the Astros made a symbolic choice of their own Wednesday, selecting Buddy Lamothe in the 40th round.
Lamothe was a top reliever for San Jacinto Junior College, posting a 0.86 ERA and striking out 27 in 21 innings, before being paralyzed in an accident last month. His father said he was white-water rafting on May 1 when he dove into the water to retrieve his sunglasses and was injured.
According to The Buddy Project website, Lamothe is currently involved in inpatient rehab at a Houston medical center and could be released for outpatient therapy later this month.