Chris Murphy received the news Wednesday afternoon during a round of golf at Newark Country Club.

The Houston Astros selected Murphy in the 24th round (709th overall) of the Major League Baseball draft. The St. Mark’s graduate still has a semester remaining to complete his degree at Millersville University, but he plans to sign and get his professional baseball career started as soon as possible.

“The Astros called me earlier today and told me they wanted to take me,” Murphy said. “I just didn’t know when.”

Murphy signed with TCU out of St. Mark’s, but pitched only seven innings during his freshman year. He transferred and became arguably the best pitcher in Millersville history, going 33-4 with a 2.07 ERA in three seasons with the Marauders.

The 6-foot-4, 205-pound right-hander induces a lot of ground balls with a sinking fastball that hits 87-90 mph.

“I think I still have more room to gain velocity on my fastball,” Murphy said. “There’s always room for improvement on pitch location and off-speed pitches.”

Three other pitchers with Delaware ties also were selected on the final day of the 40-round draft.

Right-hander Jason Bilous was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 29th round (882nd overall), despite not pitching during his senior season at Caravel after undergoing Tommy John surgery last fall.

“He’s already proven himself to be a worthy pitcher,” Caravel coach Paul Niggebrugge said. “He has reached 96 mph, and there is no reason why he can’t exceed that. He’s well on his way to a very, very bright future.”

Bilous could not be reached for comment, but Niggebrugge believes he would have been a very high draft pick if he had not been injured.

The 6-foot-2, 169-pounder has signed with Coastal Carolina, and could decide to play college baseball instead of signing a professional contract.

“They’re very aware of his situation,” Niggebrugge said of major-league teams. “They’re aware of his options, what it would take [to sign him], and where he is on the rehabilitation timeline.”

Chad Martin, a redshirt sophomore at the University of Delaware, was selected by the New York Yankees in the 30th round (903rd overall).

“It’s nice for our program,” UD coach Jim Sherman said. “I know he maybe wanted to go higher, but he’s got two more years of eligibility. He’s got a little bit more bargaining power than the average kid.”

Martin started 11 games for the Blue Hens this spring, going 3-5 with a 6.75 ERA.

The 6-4, 215-pounder from Darnestown, Maryland, struck out 62 batters in 58 2/3 innings with a fastball that can reach 93 mph, Sherman said.

“His arm works, and that’s what they’re looking for,” Sherman said. “Your arm has to be well-oiled, and you have to be able to throw a certain velocity for the big-league standard. He passes all of that. He’s just got to be more consistent.”

Aaron Coates, a 5-11, 195-pound left-hander from Glasgow, was selected in the 31st round (941st overall) by the St. Louis Cardinals.

Coates and Glasgow coach Antwain Haman could not be reached for comment.

Contact Brad Myers at bmyers@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter: @BradMyersTNJ