FULLERTON, Calif. - Cal State Fullerton outfielder J.D. Davis was selected by the Houston Astros on the second day of the 2014 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft on Friday.
Davis did not have to wait long as the Astros selected the 6-foot-3 utility player with the first pick of the third round and 75th overall. He led the Titans in 2014 with a .338 batting average, .523 slugging percentage, .419 on-base percentage as well as 27 extra-base hits. He set career highs in batting average, home runs (6), triples (5), doubles (16) and walks (32). Davis was also a perfect 7-for-7 in stolen base attempts, also setting a new career high. He was the only Fullerton player to start all 58 games for the team in 2014.
The Elk Grove, Calif. native made his second consecutive appearance on the All-Big West First Team selection for the Titans this season. He earned Big West Conference Player of the Week honors on May 26 after batting .562 with five extra base hits in four games. He also belted two home runs against Cal State Northridge on May 23 in support of teammate Justin Garza's no-hitter.
Davis was also named to the Stillwater All-Regional Team in 2014 after batting .333 (6-for-18) with four runs scored and five RBI while slugging .556 in the four games. His grand slam in the eighth inning of Fullerton's Regional opener against Nebraska broke a 1-1 tie and carried the Titans into the winner's bracket game against hosts Oklahoma State.
Davis finished the season on a 16-game hitting streak, the longest of his career and second longest on the team in 2014. During that stretch, Davis hit .429 (30-for-70) and slugged a titanic .729 with eight doubles, two triples and three home runs to go along with 16 RBI and the Titans went 12-4 during that stretch including an eight-game winning streak.
Along with his bat, Davis also helped bolster Fullerton's back end of the bullpen with his arm. He led the team with seven saves and made 14 appearances on the mound in 2014. He went 2-3 with a career-best 2.66 ERA. He struck out 22 batters while issuing just four walks in 20 and 1/3 innings pitched. He was named to the John Olerud Award Watch List on May 20, which is presented annually to the nation's top combo pitcher-position player.
In 2013, Davis was named the Cape Cod League All-Star Game MVP and was named to the All-Big West Conference First Team. He also made the Fullerton All-Regional Team in 2013.
In his three seasons at Cal State Fullerton, Davis played in 159 games, starting 149, and batted .308 with 175 hits. He scored 87 runs and collected 33 doubles, six triples and 14 home runs to go along with 113 RBI. He drew 77 walks and stole 10 bases.
On the mound, Davis went 5-5 with a 2.98 ERA in 35 appearances, making eight starts. He tallied 11 career saves and struck out 48 batters in 66 and 1/3 innings pitched while issuing just 14 walks.
The final day of the draft is scheduled for Saturday and will start at 10 a.m. PT, covering rounds 11-40.