Sam Houston’s Walker Janek Taken in First Round by Astros

Source: A general view of the stage is seen after Walker Janek was selected by the Houston Astros in the first round during the 2024 MLB Draft presented by Nike at Cowtown Coliseum on Sunday, July 14, 2024 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Gene Wang/Getty Images)

Houston — Sam Houston State University’s Walker Janek will be sticking around H-Town, as the junior catcher was selected 28th overall in the first round of the MLB Draft by the Houston Astros on Sunday. The Portland, Texas native is the first Bearkat to be drafted by the Astros since Richard Johnson in 1985.

Janek is Sam Houston’s third first-round selection in the university’s history, joining fellow Bearkats Colton Cowser, (2021: Round 1, Pick 5; Baltimore Orioles) and Glenn Wilson (1980: Round 1, Pick 18; Detroit Tigers). His selection is the 70th for Sam Houston in the MLB draft, which has seen a recent surge of talent coming out of the university, as 26 players have been drafted since 2014.

“I had zero idea who was going to take me. I was kind of stressing out on the couch there, and once it finally happened, it was a surreal moment. I really think it hasn’t hit me yet. I feel I’m still in awe. I’m super excited and ready to play.” — Walker Janek

Recognized as one of the best Bearkat players ever, Janek took home the Buster Posey Award in June as the top catcher in college baseball. He was also a finalist for the Golden Spikes Award and Dick Howser Trophy. He was named a first-team All-American by four out of five of college baseball’s top media entities.

Janek was named the CUSA Defensive Player of the Year, thanks in part to throwing out 16 or 31 attempted base stealers during the season. During his best season with Sam Houston, he turned in a .368/.480/.714 slash line and totaled 17 home runs, 15 doubles, five triples and 58 RBIs.

Being a major Astros fan growing up in South Texas, Janek was ecstatic to be selected by Houston:

“I had zero idea who was going to take me,” Janek said. “I was kind of stressing out on the couch there, and once it finally happened, it was a surreal moment. I really think it hasn’t hit me yet. I feel I’m still in awe. I’m super excited and ready to play.”

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