Reports surfaced Thursday stating that the Houston Astros have agreed to a contract with first-round pick JB Bukauskas, who was picked 15th overall after winning the ACC Pitcher of the Year this past season at UNC.

Bukauskas–who was also a First Team All-American and Golden Spikes Award Finalist–made the trip to Houston on Thursday to complete his physical and formally sign the deal.

Relying on a fastball sitting around 95 mph and a slider billed as one of the best in this year’s draft, the Ashburn, Virginia native posted a 9-0 record with a 2.02 ERA during the Tar Heels’ regular season.

His role at the pro level, however, will depend on his durability and the continued development of his changeup.

At just over six feet tall, Bukauskas’ frame is a bit small for a pitcher who throws with so much velocity–which could become an issue later on down the road.

For now, however, he’ll join an Astros farm system that includes fellow UNC products Colin Moran, Trent Thornton and Kent Emanuel.

Related Stories
‹
Zac Gallen Named Baseball America's Triple-A Pitcher of the Year
Former UNC standout right-hander Zac Gallen was recognized Friday by Baseball America, with the magazine selecting him as the Triple-A Pitcher of the Year for his performance in the minor leagues earlier this season. Gallen is now with the MLB’s Arizona Diamondbacks after being traded there by the Miami Marlins near the trade deadline in […]
Three Tar Heels Selected on Day Two of MLB Draft
Monday night marked Day Two of the 2021 MLB Draft, as three Tar Heels each heard their names called and will now embark on their professional journeys. Right-hander Austin Love was the first UNC player to come off the board, going in the third round (90th overall) to the St. Louis Cardinals. Love’s 129 strikeouts […]
Houston Astros Call Up Former UNC Pitcher Kent Emanuel for First Major League Stint
Former UNC star pitcher Kent Emanuel was called up by the Houston Astros on Friday, representing his first time on the major-league roster since being drafted in the third round back in 2013. Emanuel was the ACC Pitcher of the Year in 2013 while at UNC, and has since gone on to bounce around the […]
JB Bukauskas Makes Major League Debut for Arizona Diamondbacks
Former UNC star pitcher J.B. Bukauskas officially made his major league debut on Tuesday night for the Arizona Diamondbacks in a game against the Cincinnati Reds. The former 2017 first-round draft pick came out of the bullpen in the bottom of the seventh inning with two outs and runners on first and second base. Bukauskas […]
Former UNC Baseball Star Zac Gallen Makes History for Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Zac Gallen–who starred at UNC from 2014-16–made history on Tuesday night after allowing just two runs on seven hits during his seven innings on the mound. Over his first 19 career games in the major leagues–all of which have been starts–Gallen has yet to allow more than three earned runs, which breaks […]
Arizona Diamondbacks Trade for Zac Gallen and JB Bukauskas
The MLB trade deadline came and went on Wednesday, with a pair of former Tar Heel teammates–right-handed starting pitchers Zac Gallen and JB Bukauskas–each ending up getting moved to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Gallen had just recently made his major league debut with the Miami Marlins, starting seven games so far for the last place team […]
Miami Marlins Promote Former UNC Starter Zac Gallen to Major Leagues
Former UNC starting pitcher Zac Gallen will get his first taste of the big leagues on Thursday after being called up to the Miami Marlins from his spot with the New Orleans Baby Cakes in Triple-A. Gallen was originally a third-round draft choice by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2016 following his junior season at […]
Former UNC Standout Zac Gallen Earns Third PCL Pitcher of the Week Honor of the Season
New Orleans Baby Cakes right-hander Zac Gallen–who starred at UNC from 2014-2016–was named the Pacific Coast League’s Pitcher of the Week on Monday, representing the third time he has won the award this season. Gallen has an 8-1 record this season for the Triple-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins, and leads the entire minor leagues […]
Houston Astros Reportedly Trade Former UNC Star Colin Moran to Pittsburgh Pirates
Former UNC third baseman Colin Moran was traded from the Houston Astros to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday evening, as part of a four-player package for starting pitcher Gerrit Cole–which could turn into more by the time the deal is officially finalized. Tim Brown–a baseball writer at Yahoo! Sports–was the first to report the news, […]
Houston Astros Agree to Contract With First Round Pick JB Bukauskas
Reports surfaced Thursday stating that the Houston Astros have agreed to a contract with first-round pick JB Bukauskas, who was picked 15th overall after winning the ACC Pitcher of the Year this past season at UNC. Bukauskas–who was also a First Team All-American and Golden Spikes Award Finalist–made the trip to Houston on Thursday to […]
›