UH closer Nick Hernandez reaches deal with hometown Astros

HOUSTON - University of Houston closer Nick Hernandez, taken by the Astros in the eighth round of the MLB First-Year Players Draft, told FOX 26 Sports he has agreed to a contract with the team.

Hernandez has not signed yet, but he said he will shortly.

“It kind of took awhile to hit me,” Hernandez said in an interview with FOX 26 Sports. “It’s like your career now. You got a job.”

And Hernandez made this happen, even the business side of it, by himself.

He did not have an adviser help him do the contract with the Astros.

“Pretty much did everything on my own, negotiating and all of that,” Hernandez said. “It was fine. Everything worked out great.”

In 2016 Hernandez was 3-0, with 11 saves and a 1.40 ERA.

He had 66 strikeouts in 51 1/3 innings.

“It’s really cool,” Hernandez said. “I grew up in Missouri City, Houston area, went to Dulles, then went to Alvin (Community College) and then U of H. Now I get drafted by the ‘Stros

“It’s awesome, because it’s Houston, dreams coming true.”