Sutter Union High product Jagger Beck was recently signed as one of six undrafted free agents by the Houston Astros organization, immediately forgoing his college commitment to the University of Hawaii to begin a professional career with the Astros.

“Decision was that I always wanted to be a pro baseball player out of high school and I had a chance so I took it,” Beck said via a report at astrosfuture.com. “Also, I will be developing in front of the best coaches in all of baseball.”

Beck has been recruited professionally for a while, according to the online report. The 6-foot-6, 205-pound right-hander has professional potential out of the gate, noted Kenny Van Doren, a writer for FanNation’s ‘Inside the Astros,’ a publication connected to Sports Illustrated.

The scouting report on Beck, according to the report, is that he throws strikes, has above average velocity (topping out at 91 mph), with solid spin rates and plenty of room to continue development.

Beck, 17, is also the youngest player the Astros came away with during this draft period. He won’t turn 18 until November, according to Astrosfuture.com.

Beck was a standout at Sutter Union High for two-and-a-half varsity seasons – a stint that included a Northern California State Regional title during his junior campaign. Beck finished his prep career with a 18-3 varsity mark with a 1.00 ERA and over 200 strikeouts.

Independent baseball

The Marysville Drakes collected their first playoff win in franchise history with an 8-3 win over San Rafael Monday at Albert Park.

Earl Johnson, an Oroville native, went eight innings of four-hit, one earned-run baseball with eight strikeouts to get the win.

Marysville scored two each in the fourth and sixth innings and four in the eighth to wrap its win in a best-of-three series against the reigning Pecos League champions.

Caleb Harmond and Anders Green each provided two hits, while Micah Walker drove in three offensively.

In the other Pacific Division series, Vallejo upset top-seed Bakersfield on Monday. A winner take-all game three is set in each series for today if necessary. Marysville will play at 6 p.m. at Albert Park (if necessary).

The Pacific finals are set for Thursday, while the Pecos League finals against the Mountain Division winner beginning Aug. 10.