HOUSTON (AP) – The Houston Astros know they’ll have at least one Clemens in the organization in the future: infielder Koby Clemens, the oldest son of their pitching ace.

Roger Clemens’ son, drafted in the eighth round with the 254th pick of the draft, signed a contract Thursday then took batting practice with the team during a workout in Houston. His next stop is Greeneville, Tenn., where he’ll join the Astros’ rookie league affiliate.

By signing with Houston, it means Clemens will turn down a scholarship at the University of Texas, the reigning national champions and his father’s alma mater.

Roger Clemens turns 43 next month and says this is his final season, but he is pitching well enough that he may consider continuing his career in 2006. He’d probably need to last a lot longer, or Koby would have to develop quickly, for them to join the Ken Griffey Sr. and Jr. as father-son teammates.

Koby hit .523 (56-for-107) with 10 homers, 14 doubles and 55 RBIs for Memorial High School this past season.

He also was 8-3 with a 3.17 ERA as a pitcher, but will enter pro baseball as a position player.

The Astros also called up right-handed pitcher Ezequiel Astacio from Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday and sent down pitcher Travis Driskill.

Astacio is 0-4 with a 9.47 ERA in five starts and seven games for the Astros this season.

Driskill was called up from Round Rock on Saturday but was not used in any games.

AP-ES-07-14-05 1716EDT