SAN DIEGO, CA – The Houston Astros selected PLNU junior catcher Ricky Gingras in the 18th round of the 2012 First-Year Player Draft on June 6 with the 549th overall pick.

Gingras hit a team-best .357 for the Sea Lions in 2012, collecting 56 hits in 157 at-bats. The 6-foot-2 slugger also belted six doubles with seven home runs and 36 runs batted in. He earned All-Golden State Athletic Conference honors for his efforts.

“I had no idea what round I’d be taken in,” Gingras, who received the call from the Astros shortly after his selection, said. “It’s been a dream of mine to play baseball professionally since I was a little kid. I’m excited to get that chance.”

Skilled behind the plate, Gingras started 42 games for the Sea Lions in 2012, his only year playing for PLNU. The accurate and hard-thrower posted a .985 fielding percentage, recording 283 putouts with 43 assists. He threw out 26 runners attempting to steal.

Gingras joins pitchers Mike Ekstrom (Colorado, AAA) and Johnnie Lowe (White Sox, AAA) as former Sea Lions currently playing in the Minor Leagues. Ekstrom also has had four stints in the Major Leagues.

Before he begins his professional career, Gingras must first sign a contract with the Astros' organization. He believes that will be completed soon and expects to leave home for Rookie Ball on June 12.

“I am excited for him,” Point Loma Head Coach Joe Schaefer said. “I was hoping he’d get a shot. He played really well this year and deserves the opportunity. Houston is a good organization and if he plays well he will rise fast.”

Gingras is the 26th PLNU player taken in the MLB Draft and the eighth player selected during Schaefer's tenure.

“I definitely learned a lot and really enjoyed playing for Coach [Joe] Schaefer,” Gingras said. “I’ve worked my tail off to get to this point and I am going to keep working hard. I can’t wait to get started.”

Before coming to PLNU, Gingras played at the College of the Desert and was a 2010 First Team Foothill pick as well as team MVP and Offensive Player of the Year. Prior to that, Gingras prepped at Palm Desert High School.