HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WDAM) – University of Southern Mississippi second baseman Nick Monistere was drafted by the Houston Astros in the fourth round of the 2025 Major League Baseball Draft.
Monistere, who was the 2025 Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year, was the 126th selection overall.
Monistere hit .323 with 21 home runs and 72 RBI, leading the Golden Eagles and the Sun Belt Conference in both the home runs and RBIs.
The three-year starter confirmed to WDAM 7 that he intends to sign with the Astros.
If he does, Monistere will be heading to one of the most successful organizations in all of Major League Baseball of late.
Houston has won 945 games since 2015. The only team with more wins is the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Monistere played in 170 games in his career at Southern Miss and hit .294 with 37 home runs and 153 RBI.
Four-hundred picks later, Monstere’s teammate, pitcher Landon Payne, heard his name called by the Chicago White Sox in the 19th round.
Payne, who was selected with the 526th overall pick, appeared in 20 games for the Golden Eagles last season, posting a 2-1 record with a 2.76 ERA and five saves.
Payne played for the Pearl River Community College Wildcats in 2023.
A total of four Golden Eagles were selected in the 2025 MLB Draft, including:
JB Middleton: Round 2, Pick 45 – Colorado RockiesJake Cook: Round 3, Pick 81 – Toronto Blue JaysNick Monistere: Round 4, Pick 126 – Houston AstrosLandon Payne: Round 18, Pick 526 – Chicago White Sox.
USM has had18 MLB Draft selections since 2021.
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