Checking in on Former Astros Playing Independent Ball

Earlier this week, we checked in with a few former Astros playing in the Atlantic League. Today, we check in on the American Association, Can-Am League, Frontier League and others.

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION

Fargo-Moorhead (ND) Redhawks

OF Drew Muren (26)

.261/.330/.361 in 47 games

Drafted by Houston in the 22nd round in 2011

Played in the Astros system from 2011 through 2013

RHP Evan Englebrook (33)

0.00 ERA and 0.500 WHIP in 2 games (2 IP)

Drafted by Houston in the 8th round in 2004

Played in the Astros system from 2004 to 2010

Sioux Falls (SD) Canaries

LHP Joe Bircher (25)

3.59 ERA and 1.177 WHIP in 9 starts (52.2 IP)

Drafted by Houston in the 10th round in 2012

Played in the Astros system from 2012 to 2013

IF/OF Edwin Gomez (23)

.184/.225/.342 in 11 games (subsequently released)

Originally drafted by the Tigers in the 4th round in 2009

Played in the Astros system in 2012 and 2013

St. Paul (MN) Saints

OF Mike Kvasnicka (26)

.317/.345/.563 in 42 games

Drafted by Houston in the 1st round in 2010

Played in the Astros system from 2010 through 2012

LHP Alex Sogard (27)
1.35 ERA and 1.200 WHIP in 23 games (13.1 IP)
Drafted by Houston in the 22nd round in 2010
Played in the Astros system from 2010 to 2014

Alex Sogard - April 2014

Photo by Jayne Hansen

Winnipeg (Manitoba, Canada) Goldeyes

RHP Raul Rivera (24)

5.89 ERA and 1.582 WHIP in 16 games (18.1 IP); subsequently released

Drafted by Houston in the 37th round in 2009

Played in the Astros system from 2009 through 2014

Kansas City (KS) T-Bones

OF Adam Bailey (27)

.307/.365/.449 in 46 games

Drafted by Houston in the 23rd round in 2010

Played in the Astros system from 2010 through 2012

Adam Bailey - June 2012

Photo by Jayne Hansen

RHP Bobby Doran (26)

7-1 with a 5.13 ERA and a 1.542 WHIP in 9 starts (47.1 IP)

Drafted by Houston in the 4th round in 2010

Played in the Astros system from 2010 to 2014

RHP Mike Nannini (34)

1.17 ERA and 0.587 in 3 starts (15.1 IP)

Drafted by Houston in the 1st round in 1998

Played in the Astros system from 1998 to 2002

Interestingly enough, it appears that Nannini had retired from 2009 through 2013 before playing in independent ball in 2014 and 2015. He was originally slated to play in the Mount Rainier Professional Baseball League before that league ceased operations earlier this year.

Lincoln (NE) Saltdogs

OF Jon Gaston (28)

.304/.390/.478 in 35 games

Drafted by Houston in the 7th round in 2008

Played in the Astros system from 2008 through 2011

Grand Prairie (TX) Airhogs

RHP Zachary Dando (24)

2.73 ERA and 1.416 WHIP in 25 games (29.2 IP)

Drafted by Houston in the 32nd round in 2011

Played in the Astros system from 2011 through 2013

Laredo (TX) Lemurs

RHP B. J. Hyatt (26)

0.87 ERA and 1.306 WHIP in 21 games (20.2 IP)

Drafted by Houston in the 4th round in 2009

Only played one season in 2009 before going on the DL; was released in June 2013

RHP Daniel Minor (24)

1.800 ERA and 3.500 WHIP in 2 games (2 IP); subsequently released

Drafted by Houston in the 9th round in 2012

Played in the Astros system from 2012 to 2015

Wichita (KS) Wingnuts

RHP Matt Nevarez (28)

0.68 ERA and 0.975 WHIP in 13 games (13.1 IP); subsquently signed with the Mexican League

Originally drafted by the Rangers in the 10th round in 2005

Played in the Astros system from 2009 to 2011

CAN-AM LEAGUE

Rockland (Pomona, NY) Boulders

C Marcus Nidiffer (28)

.259/.369/.541 in 41 games

NDFA signed by the Astros in 2010

Played in the Houston system in 2010

Sussex County (Augusta, NJ)

OF Reggie Abercrombie (35)

.233/.253/.375 in 45 games

Claimed off waivers from the Marlins in 2007

Played in the Astros system from 2008 through 2009

Ottawa (Ontario, Canada) Champions

3B* Albert Cartwright (27)

.246/.290/.404 in 14 games

Drafted by Houston in the 36th round in 2007

Played in the Astros system from 2007 to 2010

*Playing 3B for Ottawa; played 2B in the Astros system

Les Capitales de Quebec (Quebec, Canada)

RHP Jamaine Cotton (24)

4.91 ERA and 1.527 WHIP in 12 games (18.1 IP)

Drafted by Houston in the 15th round in 2010

Played in the Astros system from 2010 to 2014

FRONTIER LEAGUE

Lake Erie (Avon, OH) Crushers

RHP Ryan Connolly (24)
On the 60-day DL
NDFA signed by the Astros in 2013
Played in the Astros system in 2013

RHP Zach Morton (25)
3.55 ERA and 1.342 WHIP in 6 starts (25.1 IP)
Drafted by Houston in the 32nd round in 2013
Played in the Astros system from 2013 to 2015

Traverse City (MI) Beach Bums

OF Jay Austin (24)
.311/.345/.417 in 32 games
Drafted by Houston in the 2nd round in 2008
Played in the Astros system from 2008 through 2012

Joliet (IL) Slammers

RHP Aaron Vaughn (23)

6.60 ERA and 1.649 WHIP in 11 games/7 starts (43.2 IP); subsequently released

NDFA signed by Houston in 2014

Played in the Astros system in 2014

Rockford (IL) Aviators

2B Will Dupont (21)

.182/.182/.227 in 5 games

Originally drafted by the Blue Jays in the 16th round in 2012

Played in 6 games for the Gulf Coast League Astros in 2016

MOUNT RAINIER PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL LEAGUE (LEAGUE FOLDED IN LATE MAY OR EARLY JUNE)

Oregon City (OR) Mud Turtles

RHP Kyle Redinger (23)

4.00 ERA and 1.444 WHIP in 2 games (9 IP) before the league folded

Drafted by Houston in the 11th round in 2010

Played in the Astros system from 2010 through 2012 as a third baseman

PACIFIC ASSOCIATION

San Rafael (CA) Pacifics

C Ricky Gingras (24)

.266/.329/.414 in 33 games

Drafted by Houston in the 18th round in 2012

Played in the Astros system from 2012 through 2014