What prompted me to finally go was my realization that Adam Bailey, a recently released Astros farmhand, had hooked on with the Long Island Ducks and the Ducks would be in Sugar Land for a four-game set. I contacted Adam's host family from Corpus and we made plans to catch a couple of games over the weekend and lend Adam a little moral support in this new chapter in his life. We didn't exactly bring Adam luck during the two games, but you could tell that he was happy to see some familiar faces nevertheless. And we were happy to see him.
Following the minor leagues is a funny thing. As a blogger, I have the liberty to become attached to a player from time to time and not really worry about being accused of bias. Of course I'm biased. We all are. We all have players that we root for just a little bit more than others for some intangible, esoteric reason. I have a mental list of "my guys" that keeps growing and growing. They don't get crossed off that list just because they are no longer in the Astros organization. They will still be my guys, in baseball, out of baseball and in whatever they do with life after baseball. I will continue to root for them. There are several names on the following list of former Astros-affiliated players toiling away in Independent Leagues who I will be keeping an eye on and hoping the best for. You may find one or two as well.
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[Note: I have probably missed a name here or there, and the rosters are still in flux as the Atlantic League is the only one of these leagues which has already started to play. If you see any that I've missed, let me know in the comments and I'll add them to the list.]
Atlantic League
Season underway
1B/DH Daryle Ward (37) - Lancaster Barnstormers
Obtained in a December 1996 trade with Detroit
Played in the Astros system from 1997 to 2002
C Ralph Henriquez (26) - Long Island Ducks
Drafted by Houston in the 2nd round in 2005
Played in the Astros system from 2005 to 2007
OF Adam Bailey (25) - Long Island Ducks
Drafted by Houston in the 23rd round in 2010
Played in the Astros system from 2010 to 2012
1B Ray Navarrete (34) - Long Island Ducks
Played for the Corpus Christi Hooks in 2005
RHP Jeff Fulchino (33) - Bridgeport Bluefish
Came to Houston as a waiver claim from Kansas City
Played in the Astros system from 2009 to 2011
OF Collin DeLome (27) - Bridgeport Bluefish
Drafted by Houston in the 5th round in 2007
Played in the Astros system from 2007 to 2012
RHP Brian Bass (31) - Camden Riversharks
Pitched at AAA Oklahoma City in 2012
C Koby Clemens (26) - Sugar Land Skeeters
Drafted by Houston in the 8th round in 2005
Played in the Astros system from 2005 to 2011
LHP Jason Lane (36) - Sugar Land Skeeters
Drafted by Houston in the 6th round in 1999
Played in the Astros system from 1999-2007 as an outfielder
RHP Gary Majewski (33) - Sugar Land Skeeters
Pitched for Houston in 2010
RHP Scott Elarton (37) - Sugar Land Skeeters
Drafted by Houston in the 1st round in 1994
Played in the Astros system from 1994 to 2001
IF Wladimir Sutil (28) - South Maryland Blue Crabs
Signed by Houston out of Venezuela around 2004
Played in the Astros system from 2004 to 2011
American Association
Exhibition Games start May 5th
Regular Season starts May 16th
OF Mitch Einertson (27) - El Paso Diablos
Drafted by Houston in the 5th round in 2004
Played in the Astros system from 2004 to 2009
RHP Jason Hirsh (31) - Amarillo Sox
Drafted by Houston in the 2nd round in 2003
Played in the Astros system from 2003 through 2006
RHP Ryan Mitchell (25) - Amarillo Sox
Drafted by Houston in the 20th round in 2005
Played in the Astros system from 2005 to 2006
OF Yordany Ramirez (28) - Laredo Lemurs
Signed by the Padres out of the Dominican Republic in 2002
Played in the Astros organization from 2008-2011
After being converted to a pitcher for several years, he is listed on the roster as an outfielder again.
RHP Robbie Donovan (24) - Sioux City Explorers
Drafted by Houston in the 23rd round in 2009
Played in the Astros system 2009-2011
LHP Adam Champion (25) - Sioux Falls Canaries
Drafted by Houston in the 24th round in 2010
Played in the Astros system 2010-2011
RHP Kirk Clark (24) - Sioux Falls Canaries
A non-drafted free agent signed by Houston in 2009
Played in the Astros system from 2009 until 2012
RHP Mark Hamburger (26) - St. Paul Saints
Pitched in 17 games for AAA Oklahoma City in 2012
Can-Am League
Season starts May 16th
RHP Kyle Greenwalt (24) - New Jersey Jackals
Drafted by Houston in the 20th round in 2007
Played in the Astros system from 2007 to 2011
OF Jon Gaston (26) - Rockland Boulders
Drafted by Houston in the 7th round in 2008
Played in the Astros system from 2008 to 2011
C Emerson Frostad (30) - Trois-Rivieres Aigles
Played in Houston system in 2011
Frontier League
Season starts May 16th
LHP Garrett Bullock (26) - Evansville Otters
Signed by Houston as a non-drafted free agent in 2009
Played in the Astros system from 2009 to 2011
C Marcus Nidiffer (26) - Traverse City Beach Bums
Signed by Houston as a non-drafted free agent in 2010
Played in the Astros system in 2010
RHP Jimmy Howick (22) - Gateway Grizzlies
Drafted by Houston in the 21st round in 2011
Missed the 2011 season due to injury
Played in the Astros system in 2012 as an infielder
OF Neiko Johnson (25) - Gateway Grizzlies
Signed by Houston as a non-drafted free agent in 2011
Played in the Astros system from 2011 to 2012
C Bubby Williams (24) - Normal Cornbelters
Drafted by Houston in the 11th round in 2009
Played in the Astros system from 2009 to 2011
RHP Brad Propst (24) - River City Rascals
Drafted by Houston in the 38th round in 2011
Played in the Astros system from 2011 to 2012
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