KRISTIE RIEKEN
AP Sports Writer

HOUSTON (AP) — As Houston Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow walked into the room for a news conference about top overall pick Brady Aiken, his cellphone rang.

The 17-year-old left-hander was on the other end of the call. After some small talk, Luhnow told him manager Bo Porter asked if he could start for the Astros on Friday night at Minnesota.

While the conversation was obviously a joke, the Astros wouldn’t be surprised if the polished high-schooler rises through their ranks in a hurry.

“I’m not going to put any limitation on how quickly this player can move,” Luhnow said.

Aiken became Houston’s third straight overall No. 1 pick, joining shortstop Carlos Correa and right-hander Mark Appel in a farm system that will be paramount to helping the Astros rebuild.

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