Catching up with: Mike Nannini

Thursday, May 3, 2001 | 10:26 a.m.

MIKE NANNINI

High School: Green Valley ('98)

Where he is now: Lexington (Ky.) Legends (Class A)

Sport: Baseball

Currently: A "sandwich" pick between the first and second rounds by the Houston Astros in 1998, Nannini was ranked as the organization's No. 9 overall prospect by Baseball America prior to the 2001 season. So far, the 20-year-old right-hander has done nothing to disappoint, going 3-1 with a 2.86 ERA and 14 strikeouts in 22 innings. In his first two seasons in the minors, Nannini went 14-7 with five complete games and 142 strikeouts in 179 innings with two Class A clubs.

Looking back: Nannini played for three straight 4A state championship squads, posting a 19-2 mark during his varsity career. The Sun's State Player of the Year in 1998, he finished his senior season with a 0.58 ERA, 97 strikeouts and four walks in 73 innings pitched. Nannini signed with Arizona State but opted to turn pro after he was selected 37th overall in the 1998 amateur draft.