“I think I have quite a bit to prove, obviously, if I think I’m worth being drafted up higher.” Power-hitting outfielder Scott Schreiber showed his confident and equally scrappy stripes to the July 8, 2017, Omaha World-Herald. “I just have to go out and work hard. If the numbers show, good. If they don’t, I have to make sure I put everything into it so I don’t have any regrets at the end of the year.”

Schreiber had just been selected, in the 2017 MLB Draft, by the lowly [six games under .500] and financially struggling Tampa Bay Rays, by itself a sobering notion to many draft-eligible college juniors. Adding to that ignominy was the fact that he was taken in the 26th round, 769th overall.

Schreiber signed with Houston, June 19, for only $10,000, according to MLB.com.

According to figures reported there for their other six signees, the Astros had $1,677,600 left of their bonus pool to spend on their two previously unsigned picks: Second-round pitcher Jayson Schroeder and fourth-round outfielder Alex McKenna, who both signed their contracts June 22.

While a big senior year boosted Schreiber’s draft stock, he signed for far less money than had he gone pro last year with the Rays. Schreiber said he signed for “quite a bit below” the slot value of $144,100 because the Astros have “quite a bit of leverage” on him as a graduating senior.

He’s taking a chance on himself, again. To make up the money he “lost” by finishing his Nebraska education, he’s betting he can do what it takes to improve, in Houston’s system, to the point where making and excelling in the big leagues is all but a foregone conclusion.

“It’s obviously a big dream of mine,” Schreiber told the World-Herald shortly after becoming an Astro. “I’m really excited and grateful to be able to be part of that organization. I’m just ready to go to pro ball and see how much I can learn and improve my game.

“Playing in the major leagues is something that I’ve always dreamed about, and it’s still my goal in my baseball career.”

Don’t bet against him.