Round 11 in the 2018 MLB Draft brought the Houston Astros Brett Conine, a right-handed reliever who’s been lately rockin’ not only his closer role but a Rollie Fingers-like handlebar mustache.

Coming in at #342 overall, the 21-year-old Cal State Fullerton product stands 6’4″ and 215 lbs, including that occasional handlebar mustache, which seems to exist only upon the whims of his head coach. More on that (and him) later.

Conine, by the way, is no relation to former Florida Marlins star, Jeff Conine. The two-time All-Star does have a son: Duke outfielder Griffin Conine was drafted in the second round, Monday, by the Toronto Blue Jays.

Goofey’s Backyard

Born in Orange, California, Brett Conine (actually pronounced kuh-NINE) attended El Modena High School, a short jaunt from Disneyland. Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman also attended El Modena (and presumably, also Disneyland).

Conine pitched on the Vanguards’ varsity team for three years under coach Josh Kliner. Awards earned included OC Register All-County 1st Team, Cal-Hi Sports 2nd Team All-State, Team Co-MVP, El Modena Co-male Athlete of the Year, and Max Preps 2nd Team All-State. Conine was also a three-year Scholar Athlete.

Titan Up

Eleven miles to the northwest stands Cal State Fullerton, and its neighborhood fun center, Knott’s Berry Farm in nearby Buena Park.

A relief pitcher/spot starter (as well as a business major) as a freshman at Cal State Fullerton, Conine went 3-3 with a 5.10 ERA in 15 appearances covering 30 innings.

As the closer with a consistent low 90s fastball in 2017 (his sophomore season), Conine tied for the Big West Conference lead with 10 saves. He fashioned a microscopic 0.59 ERA, which equated to a scant two earned runs in 30.1 innings.

“Yeah, I’d say it’s definitely a different mind-set,” the soft-spoken Conine explained to the Orange County Register a year ago. “Like, going out there, it’s a whole different type of adrenaline rush than I’ve ever had. And just harnessing that and then going out there and knowing that when you’re done, the game is over.

“You get super amped and then once it’s over, the whole team rushes out and it’s like a super-cool feeling,” Conine exclaimed, as if describing a roller coaster he’d like you to try.

Conine spent the summers of 2016 and 2017 pitching for the Wareham Gatemen in the Cape Cod League, working to wood bats. He split the two years between starting and relieving, combining a 3.38 ERA in his 45.1 innings, giving up 37 hits, but walking only 12, while striking out 47.

It was his summer of relieving for the Gatemen (2017) that was particularly impressive: In his nine innings out of the bullpen, he struck out 18, while walking one, and yielding one ER, earning three saves.

Conine grew up a fan of the San Diego Padres, favoring Derek Jeter as a favorite player. Classic rock can be found on his devices, while he’s likely to download “The Shawshank Redemption” before any other movie.

Video: Brett Conine Reveals His Private ‘Stache

Last June, while embroiled in the College World Series, Conine and fellow Titans pitcher Taylor Bryant were rocking their respective facial hair finery. Bryant (drafted last summer in the 33rd round by the St. Louis Cardinals) sported a full bleached beard, while Conine went with the classic handlebar mustache.

Head coach Rick Vanderhook, though, insisted on haircuts and clean-shaven faces for first team pictures in August, rendering non-existent all manner of designer stubble. After the photoshoot, Vanderhook let them grow what they wanted and where on into the season.

While dubbing Bryant’s beard a full-on “Grizzly Adams” effort, Vanderhook likens Conine’s handlebar a Wyatt Earp duplicate. Conine, unaware of who Wyatt Earp was in the annals of American history and the Old West, was sent in the general direction of Google.

“I’m rocking the mustache to the end; the mustache will be in the dogpile, definitely,” Conine declared somewhat defiantly.

When pressed by the OC Register if he feels he could make a career of closing, Conine waxed philosophical: “Right now, I’m just really focused on this year and whatever role I am in for next year is whatever my team needs, really. But, yeah, I’m liking this closing role and whatever happens, happens.”