Maryland catcher Kevin Martir was selected by the Houston Astros in the 18th Round of the 2015 MLB Draft Wednesday.

“It means a lot to be given this opportunity because not everyone is given it,” Martir said. “It’s awesome to see my teammates get selected as well. We feel beyond blessed to have the opportunity.”

Martir is the seventh Terrapin to be picked, breaking a school record for picks in a single draft.

Martir led the Terps in hitting this season (.342), stroking seven home runs and driving in 45 runs. He earned Third Team All-Big Ten honors and led Maryland with a .441 on-base-percentage.

“You throw out the tools with Martir – the guy is a winner,” Maryland baseball broadcaster John Vittas said. “He steals signs from opponents regularly and knows how to get the best out of his teammates. Martir has been the vocal leader of back-to-back Regional Championship teams.”

The New Yorker reached base in all eight plate appearances when his team was facing elimination this year. He was named to the 2015 Los Angeles All-Regional team after registering seven hits in four games.

“Kevin Martir is the consummate field general,” MBN’s Jon Lewis said in the 2015 Maryland Draft Preview. “He manages to to keep his swing short and squares up a ton of baseballs. He has the ability to go the opposite way fairly naturally which has been a big reason for his impressive average. Martir has great hands behind the dish, receives the ball well and does a great job framing pitches.”

VIEW MARTIR’S FULL DRAFT PREVIEW

This is the first time Martir has been selected. He has until July 17th to strike a deal with Houston. If he can’t, he will return to College Park in the fall.

Learn more about Martir’s inner-city background and long-time teammate Jose Cuas:

Listen to Lewis and Vittas break down Martir as a pro prospect: