LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Deylen Miley may not have heard his name called on the final day of Major League Baseball's draft, but he received a coveted call nonetheless.

Almost immediately after the 20-round MLB draft ended Tuesday, the Houston Astros reached out to express their interest in the former Bellarmine University righthander, who signed as a free agent with the organization.

"It doesn't matter if you get drafted or signed (as a free agent), in the end an opportunity is an opportunity," Miley said.

Due to being a fifth-year senior and fully aware of the general preference toward younger players in the draft, Miley didn't anticipate being picked, saying he took a "expect the worst, hope for the best" approach to the process.

However, while he didn't get selected, the native of Bryan, Ohio native clearly came close. That became evident when minutes after Houston made their final pick Miley was contacted by an Astros scout.

"It happened very, very quickly," Miley said. "It was like, 'holy cow!' It was special to be home with my family and girlfriend."

Miley relayed the great news to Bellarmine Head Coach Larry Owens.

"We are incredibly excited for Deylen and his opportunity to play professional baseball," Owens said. "He has worked extremely hard for this opportunity, and I know he will certainly make the most of it."

Miley transferred to Bellarmine from Tiffin in 2019 and played three seasons with the Knights. He began his career primarily as a position player — earning second-team All-GLVC honors on an NCAA II Tournament team in his first season with the program — before shifting his focus to the mound while eying a professional career.

Miley went 1-0 with a 4.05 ERA and 21 strikeouts in 20 innings pitched in four starts in the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign. This past year, Bellarmine's first in Division I, the 6-foot-2 righty led the ASUN in strikeouts in the regular season and finished with 86 over 64.2 innings pitched. He was the Knights' Friday starter for much of the season.

"Part of the reason I hung up the bat was that if I wanted to keep playing, it would be through pitching," Miley said. "That's the interest I was getting (from scouts), so I homed in on that."

Miley excelled this summer pitching for the Mahoning Valley Scrappers of the MLB Draft League. In seven appearances with five starts, he went 2-1 with a 2.59 ERA and 37 strikeouts in 24.1 innings pitched.

"The Astros are getting a very dedicated pitcher who possesses electric stuff," Owens said.

As he heads into a professional career, Miley said he cherished his time at Bellarmine.

"I can't imagine being put in the position I am today without Bellarmine and L.O. (Owens), and starting with great communication I had with (Recruiting Coordinator/Assistant Coach) Nick (Eversole) after I had decided to transfer," Miley said. "It's been a special place, and I wouldn't trade it for anything."

For more coverage of Bellarmine athletics, follow us on Twitter (@BUKnights), Instagram (BUKnights) and Facebook (BUKnights).