Zach Daniels signs with Astros

Zach Daniels signs with Astros.

HOUSTON — Former University of Tennessee outfielder Zach Daniels has signed with the Houston Astros.

Houston selected Daniels in the fourth round of the recent 2020 Major League Baseball Draft. He was the 131st overall pick in June and received a $400,000 signing bonus. It was slightly below his slotted value of $430,800.

Daniels endured his share of offensive struggles during his first two years of college baseball on Rocky Top as he failed to make consistent contact.

But it was a different story for Daniels in 2020 as he became a big contributor for the Vols, who were 15-2 when the coronavirus pandemic ended the season.

He hit .357 for the Diamond Vols as a junior and had four home runs and drove in 18 runs in 56 at-bats.