By DENNIS WASZAK Jr.
AP Sports Writer
NEW YORK — The Houston Astros led off the second day of the baseball draft by selecting another big-time shortstop.
Carlos Correa made draft history Monday night when he was the first No. 1 pick from Puerto Rico. With the initial pick of the second round Tuesday, the Astros took University of Florida slick-fielding shortstop Nolan Fontana.
Houston general manager Jeff Luhnow said after picking the 17-year-old, 6-foot-4 Correa that the team expects him to play shortstop — but acknowledged that he could ultimately move to third base. Given that possibility, the Astros now have another potential franchise-type shortstop in Fontana.
Several familiar names were taken during the second day, including University of Connecticut second baseman L.J. Mazzilli, son of former big league All-Star Lee Mazzilli, selected by Minnesota in the ninth round.
Stanford lefty Brett Mooneyham, son of former major league pitcher Bill Mooneyham, went in the third round to Washington. Cincinnati took UCLA outfielder Beau Amaral, son of former major leaguer Rich Amaral, in the seventh round. St. John’s right-hander Kyle Hansen, brother of former big league reliever Craig Hansen, was drafted in the sixth round by the Chicago White Sox.
Texas Tech righty Duke von Schamann, the son of former Miami Dolphins kicker Uwe von Schamann, was taken by the Dodgers in the 15th round.
Rutgers third baseman Patrick Kivlehan, one of the more intriguing players in the draft, was selected in the fourth round by Seattle. Kivlehan was a four-year player for the Scarlet Knights’ football team when he decided to try baseball, which he hadn’t played since high school. Despite the long layoff, he hit .392 with 14 home runs and 50 RBIs, was the Big East player of the year and won the conference’s Triple Crown.
The only player with Hawaii ties drafted was Baldwin’s Brandon Kaupe by the New York Mets in the fourth round, No. 140 overall.
Rounds 2 through 15 were completed Tuesday, with rounds 16-40 conducted today via conference call.
