Former Cougar Seth Romero selected by Nationals

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Former University of Houston lefthander Seth Romero was picked by the Washington Nationals in the first round of the Major League Baseball draft on Monday night.

Romero, the No. 25 overall section, was limited to seven starts this season because of off-field issues. He was originally suspended a month for rules violations - among them a missed curfew and failed drug test - and was ultimately kicked off the team 10 days after being reinstated for fighting with a teammate.

Romero went 4-5 with a 3.51 ERA in 10 appearances this season. His 15.72 strikeouts per nine innings were among the best in the nation.

Once projected as a top-10 pick, Romero lost about $ 2 million in potential signing bonus falling to late first round, according to draft pool figures.

Romero is the first UH player taken in the first round of the MLB draft since righthander Brad Lincoln 2006.