JUST IN: Walker Janek, a Sam Houston standout, is selected by the Astros in the first round….

Janek was the 2024 Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year.

Sam Houston State Bearcats catcher Walker Janek (3) rounds third base during a game between the Sam Houston State Bearcats and the Tulane Green Wave on June 3, 2023, at Alex Box Stadium, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

After a stellar junior season with the Bearkats, the player was named National Collegiate Catcher of the Year last month. In addition, he was named CUSA Defensive Player of the Year after hitting.368 with 37 extra-base hits, 58 RBI, 17 home runs, and 55 runs. Under general manager Dana Brown, the Astros want to build on a successful first draft selection. Houston had the 27th-best Major League Baseball farm system going into 2024, but first-round pick Brice Matthews and third-round pick Jake Bloss from 2023 made their MLB debuts last month.