Former Astros Playing Internationally and in Independent League Ball

A lot of former Astros will start playing independent league baseball over the next few weeks. But in the meantime, many have already started playing their seasons across the globe. If you know of a former Astro who didn't make this list, leave a comment and I'll make updates.

Matt Duffy - June 2013

Photo by Jayne Hansen

JAPAN CENTRAL LEAGUE

Chunichi Dragons
LHP Raul Valdes (Astros 2014)

JAPAN PACIFIC LEAGUE

Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles
1B/DH Japhet Amador (2013-2014 Astros farm system)
IF Kaz Matsui (2008-2010 Astros)

Fukuoka Softbank Hawks
RHP Dennis Sarfate (2007 Astros)
It is Sarfate's 7th season playing in Japan.

Chiba Lotte Marines
3B Matt Duffy (2011 20th round pick; 2011-2016 Astros system)
OF Jimmy Paredes (2010-2013 Astros system)

Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters
3B Brandon Laird (2012-2013 Astros system)

KOREAN BASEBALL ORGANIZATION

LG Twins
RHP Henry Sosa (2011-2012 Astros system)
Sosa is in his 6th season with the KBO.

SK Wyverns
IF Danny Worth (2016 Astros system)

Nexen Heroes
LHP Andy Van Hekken (2008-2011 Astros farm system)
Van Hekken has spent the last 6 years playing in Korea and Japan.

MEXICAN LEAGUE

Acereros del Norte
OF Willy Taveras (2004-2006 Astros system)

Leones de Yucatan
OF Leo Heras (2013-2016 Astros farm system)

Pericos de Puebla
LHP Travis Blackley (2013 Astros system)

Rieleros de Aguascalientes
RHP Jose Valverde (2008-2009 Astros)
IF Diory Hernandez (2012 Astros farm system)

Rojos delAguila de Veracruz
Fernando Nieve (2001-2008, 2011 Astros system)
Shockingly, Nieve is only 34 years old.

Sultanes de Monterrey
RHP Oscar Villarreal (2008 Astros)
C Luis Flores (2015 Astros farm system)

Toros de Tijuana
RHP Gera Sanchez (2012-2013 Astros farm system)

Vaqueros Union Laguna
IF Anderson Hernandez (2010-2011 Astros system)
OF Brad Snyder (2012 Astros farm system)

CZECH REPUBLIC

Draci Brno
OF Terrell Joyce (2012-2014 Astros farm system)
I have no idea how Dustin found this one! Joyce is also doing well in his new environs, hitting .550/.571/.850 in his first 5 games.

ITALY

Fortitudo Unipol Bologna
LHP Rudy Owens (2012-2014 Astros system)
Another gem of a finding by Dustin!

Tommasin Padova
IF Carlos Perdomo (2013-2016 Astros system)
IF Luca Martone (2010-12 Astros system)

ATLANTIC LEAGUE (Games start 4/20)

Bridgeport Bluefish
RHP David Carpenter (2011-2012 Astros)
RHP Zac Grotz (2015 28th round pick, 2015 Astros farm system)

Long Island Ducks
LHP Eury de la Rosa (3 appearances with Fresno in 2016)
IF Nate Freiman (2012 Rule 5 draft pick; didn't stick with team)
IF Marc Krauss (Part of 2012 Chris Johnson trade, 2012-2014 Astros system)

Lancaster Barnstormers
LHP Tommy Shirley (2010 9th round pick; 2010-2016 Astros farm system)

Sugar Land Skeeters
RHP Felipe Paulino (2003-2010 Astros system)

York Revolution
OF Michael Burgess (2013 Astros farm system)

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION (Games start in May)

Cleburne Railroaders
RHP Kyle Westwood (2013 13th round pick; 2013-2015 Astros farm system)

Gary Southshore Railcats
RHP Jorge de Leon (2006-2014 Astros system)

Kansas City T-Bones
1B Chase McDonald (2013 12th round pick; 2013-2016 Astros farm system)

Lincoln Saltdogs
LHP Zac Person (2015 9th round pick; 2015-2016 Astros farm system)

St. Paul Saints
RHP Mark Hamburger (2013 Astros farm system)

Sioux City Explorers
LHP Bryan Radziewski (2014 9th round; 2014-2016 Astros farm system)

Sioux Falls Canaries
LHP Joe Bircher (2012 10th round pick, 2012-2013 Astros farm system)

Winnipeg Goldeyes
OF Reggie Abercrombie (2008 Astros)
LHP Mitch Lambson (2011 19th round pick; 2011-2015 Astros farm system)
RHP Daniel Minor (2012 9th round pick; 2012-2105 Astros farm system)

Here's an interview that the Goldeyes did with Daniel Minor upon his signing.

CAN-AM LEAGUE (Games start in May)

New Jersey Jackals
OF Conrad Gregor (2013 4th round pick; 2013-2016 Astros farm system)
Note that Gregor played primarily 1B for the Astros but was signed as an OF.

Ottawa Champions
RHP Austin Chrismon (2013 26th round pick, 2013-2015 Astros farm system)
IF Albert Cartwright (2007 36th round pick, 2007-2010 Astros farm system)

Rockland Boulders
C Marcus Nidiffer (2010 Astros farm system)

Sussex County Miners
OF Jay Austin (2008 2nd round pick, 2008-2012 Astros farm system)

Trois-Rivieres Aigles
RHP Chris Murphy (2015 24th round pick; 2015-2016 Astros farm system)

FRONTIER LEAGUE (Games start in May)

Joliet Slammers
OF Edwin Gomez (2012-2013 Astros farm system)

Washington Wild Things
OF Justin Garcia (2015 17th round pick, 2015-2016 Astros farm system)
OF Hector Roa (2012-2016 Astros farm system)

PECOS LEAGUE (Games start in May)

White Sands Pupfish
OF Cristopher Luciano (2014-2016 Astros farm system)
Luciano played mostly 1B for the Astros, but was signed as an OF.

All of the rosters aren't complete, particularly for the teams that don't start until May, and I probably missed a player here or there as well. Feel free to leave info in the comments if you spot a player in the independent leagues!