The Houston Astros selected Penn State catcher Ben Heath Tuesday in the fifth round of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.

The junior was the 153rd overall pick and became just the second Nittany Lion player to be selected within the draft’s first five rounds since 2000. Former Lion pitcher Drew O’Neil was taken by the Chicago White Sox in the fourth round of the 2008 Draft.

The Penn State catcher is the highest position player taken since infielder Greg Vogel in 1976.

Heath had a breakout season as the Lions’ catcher and was named to the Louisville Slugger All-America Second Team. The catcher hit .369 with 57 RBIs and a school-record 19 home runs. He also posted a .989 fielding percentage while guiding the pitching staff from behind the plate.

Penn State coach Robbie Wine was drafted by Houston in 1983 and reached the major leagues with the Astros in 1986 and 1987.

Heath was the second catcher taken by the Astros. They chose Minnesota’s Michael Kvasnicka with the 33rd overall pick.

Penn State incoming freshman Kyle Redinger was selcted by the Astros in the 11th round with the 333rd overall selection.