"The Astros have signed hard-throwing righthander Jack Tilghman, a 6-2, 205-pounder from the Texarkana Gunslingers of the independent Continental Baseball League.

The Telford, Penn., native and former Walters State Community College pitcher led the Continental Baseball League with 13 saves while compiling a 3-2 record and 1.30 ERA with 57 strikeouts over 412/3 innings.

Tilghman, 21, played on the Philadelphia Phillies’ Gulf Coast League team last season, but he was a free agent by MLB standards before area scout Rusty Pendergrass uncovered him again in Texarkana.

“Rusty got word (Tilghman) was breaking 100 mph,” Astros scouting director Bobby Heck said. “We had an area scout go see him, and then Rusty saw him, and he was hitting 95 mph and 98 mph.”

The Astros hope Tilghman takes advantage of this opportunity.

“There’s been some off-field issues we’re aware of, but he’s going to get a second chance,” Heck said.

The Astros are in a bit of a standstill with third-round selection Chase Davidson, the only pick they haven’t signed out of their top 14 in the June draft.

The Astros have until Aug. 15 to sign or lose the rights to Davidson, a slugging first baseman who has a scholarship offer from the University of Georgia."