Former Astros in Independent/International Leagues (2018)

There are several former Astros already playing internationally or who are slated to play with the Indy League clubs that start up between late April and mid-May. I'll update this post with any late additions I see as the independent baseball season gets closer. If you see any former Astros or former Astros farm hands that I missed, leave a note in the comments and I'll include them in my next update.

Each year MLB affiliates pick up players from independent baseball. Last year, RHP Kevin McCanna (Astros 2015 13th round pick; 2015-2016 Astros farm system) started his season with the independent Sioux City Explorers club, but was picked up by the Diamondbacks organization and 1B Conrad Gregor (Astros 2013 4th round pick; 2013-2016 Astros farm system) was picked up by the Red Sox from the New Jersey Jackals. And 3B  Bobby Wernes (Astros 2015 30th round pick; 2015-2016 Astros farm system) had signed with the Traverse City Beach Bums, but was picked up by the Rockies organization before playing a single game for the Bums. There are several players on this list that could very well make their way back into affiliated baseball ... I wish them all the best of luck!

Jio Mier - April 2014

Photo by Jayne Hansen

JAPAN CENTRAL LEAGUE

Yakult Swallows
OF Nori Aoki (2017 Astros)

JAPAN PACIFIC LEAGUE

Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles
1B/DH Japhet Amador (2013-2014 Astros farm system)

Fukuoka Softbank Hawks
RHP Dennis Sarfate (2007 Astros)
It is Sarfate's 8th season playing in Japan.

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

Saitama Seibu Lions
IF Kaz Matsui (2008-2010 Astros)

KOREAN BASEBALL ORGANIZATION

Doosan Bears
OF Jimmy Paredes (2010-2013 Astros system)

LG Twins
RHP Henry Sosa (2011-2012 Astros system)
Sosa is in his 7th season with the KBO.

MEXICAN LEAGUE

Diablos Rojas del Mexico
RHP Gonzalo Sanudo (2013-2016 Astros farm system)
C Carlos Corporan (2011-2014 Astros)

Guerreros de Oaxaca
RHP Arcenio Leon (2005-2012 Astros farm system)

Leones de Yucatan
RHP Paul Clemens (2011-2014 Astros system)
OF Leo Heras (2013-2016 Astros farm system)
OF/2B Ruben Sosa (Astros 2011 23rd round pick; 2011-2014 Astros farm system)

Olmecas de Tabasco
RHP Cesar Valdez (2016 Astros farm system)

Pericos de Puebla
LHP Mitch Lambson (Astros 2011 19th round pick; 2011-2015 Astros farm system)
C Bernardo Heras (2016-2017 Astros farm system)

Saraperos de Saltillo
LHP Raul Valdes (Astros 2014)

Sultanes de Monterrey
RHP Edgar Gonzalez (2012-2013 Astros)

Tecolotes de los Dos Loredos
IF Anderson Hernandez (2010-2011 Astros system)

Tigres de Quintana Roo
OF Jason Bourgeois (2010-2011 Astros)

Toros de Tijuana
RHP Hector Ambriz (2012-2013 Astros)
RHP Gerardo Sanchez (2012-2013 Astros farm system)
3B Jio Mier (Astros 2009 1st round pick; 2009-2015 Astros farm system)

ATLANTIC LEAGUE

Lancaster Barnstormers
IF Rico Noel (2018 Astros farm system)
LHP Tommy Shirley (Astros 2010 9th round pick; 2010-2016 Astros farm system)

York Revolution
1B/OF Michael Burgess (2013 Astros farm system)
RHP Zac Grotz (Astros 2015 28th round pick, 2015 Astros farm system)
RHP Jay Gause (Astros 2014 10th round pick; 2014 Astros farm system)

New Britain Bees
LHP Kevin Chapman (2012-2016 Astros system)
RHP Sam Gervacio (2005-2011 Astros system)
RHP Mark Hamburger (2013 Astros farm system)
LHP Andy Van Hekken (2008-2011 Astros farm system)
IF Reid Brignac (2017 Astros farm system)

Long Island Ducks
LHP Ashur Tolliver (2017 Astros system)

Pennsylvania Road Warriors
LHP Luis Cruz (Astros 2008 9th round pick; 2008-2015 Astros farm system)
C Marlon Avea (2011-2016 Astros farm system)
OF/1B Edwin Gomez (2012-2013 Astros farm system)

Somerset Patriots
LHP Brett Oberholtzer (2011-2015 Astros system)

Sugar Land Skeeters
RHP Jared Mortensen (Astros Rule 5 draft pick in December 2016; appeared in 3 games for Fresno in April 2017)
RHP Felipe Paulino (2003-2010 Astros system)
RHP Mitch Talbot (Astros 2002 2nd round pick; 2003-2006 Astros system)
OF Luke Scott (2004-2007 Astros system)
OF Willy Taveras (2004-2006 Astros system)

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION

Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks
RHP Travis Ballew (Astros 2012 23rd round pick; 2012-2015 Astros system)
LHP Sebastian Kessay (Astros 2013 22nd round pick; 2013-2017 Astros farm system)

Gary Southshore Railcats
RHP Daniel Minor (Astros 2012 9th round pick; 2012-2105 Astros farm system)

Sioux Falls Canaries
LHP Joe Bircher ( Astros 2012 10th round pick, 2012-2013 Astros farm system)
IF Tyler Wolfe (Astros 2016 39th round pick; 2016-2017 Astros farm system)

Winnipeg Goldeyes
OF Reggie Abercrombie (2008-2009 Astros system)

Kansas City T-Bones
C Christian Correa (2015-2017 Astros system)

Sioux City Explorers
OF Jay Austin (Astros 2008 2nd round pick, 2008-2012 Astros farm system)
RHP Andrew Thurman (Astros 2013 2nd round pick, 2013-2014 Astros farm system)

Texas Airhogs
LHP Michael Freeman (Astros 2015 7th round pick; 2015-2017 Astros farm system)

CAN-AM LEAGUE

Ottawa Champions
RHP Austin Chrismon (Astros 2013 26th round pick, 2013-2015 Astros farm system)

Rockland Boulders
RHP Ryan Deemes (Astros 2015 36th round pick; 2015-2017 Astros farm system)
C Marcus Nidiffer (2010 Astros farm system)

Sussex County Miners
LHP David Rollins (2012-2014 Astros farm system)
C Martin Figueroa (Astros 2017 32nd round pick; 2017 Astros farm system)

Trois-Rivieres Aigles
RHP Chris Murphy (Astros 2015 24th round pick; 2015-2016 Astros farm system)
C Anthony Hermelyn (Astros 2015 4th round pick; 2015-2017 Astros farm system)

FRONTIER LEAGUE

Schaumberg Boomers
RHP Kyle Westwood (2013 13th round pick; 2013-2015 Astros farm system)
On the suspended list

Washington Wild Things
OF Hector Roa (2012-2016 Astros farm system)

Windy City Thunderbolts
RHP Devin Raftery (2016-2017 Astros farm system)

Evansville Otters
LHP Austin Nicely (Astros 2013 10th round pick; 2013-2016 Astros farm system)

River City Rascals
RHP Reggie Johnson (2016-2017 Astros farm system)
RHP Lucas Williams (Astros 2016 40th round draft pick; 2016-2017 Astros farm system)

Lake Erie Crushers
LHP Ben Smith (Astros 2014 17th round pick; 2016-2017 Astros farm system)
(Pro debut was delayed due to recovery from Tommy John surgery followed by a battle with Burkitt lymphoma)

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Wednesday, August 3, 2016

Fresno 5, Las Vegas 3 in 11 innings

W- Reymin Guduan (1-3, 2-3 season)
L- Josh Smoker (3-2)
S- Jordan Jankowski (3)

Fresno home runs: Colin Moran (7, 2-run in 2nd), Jon Singleton (16, solo in 4th)

The Grizzlies started off a new series with an extra-inning victory.

In his first start since July 25, 2014, Chris Cotton went 5 innings and allowed 2 runs on 5 hits and struck out 3. Albert Minnis pitched 2 innings in his AAA debut, and the one run he allowed came on a solo homer hit by Eric Campbell in the 6th. Minnis allowed one other hit, walked 2, and fanned 2. Reymin Guduan allowed 2 hits, walked 2, and struck out 4 over 3 scoreless innings, and Jordan Jankowski struck out the side in order to get the save.

Colin Moran opened the scoring with a 2-run home run in the 2nd inning, and after Vegas tied the game with 2 runs of their own in the 3rd, Jon Singleton launched a solo shot in the 4th. Campbell's homer off Minnis in the 6th tied the game at 3, and that was where the game stood heading into extra innings.

Moran led off the 11th inning with a double, and Tyler Heineman joined him on the bases after hitting a single. Andrew Aplin struck out, but an error allowed Tony Kemp to reach and loaded the bases. Danny Worth went down on strikes, and so it was up to Jon Kemmer, who delivered with a 2-run single to put Fresno in front. Kemmer and Moran (2B, 2-R HR, 2 R) finished with 3 hits apiece, while Worth, Teoscar Hernandez (2B, SB), and Singleton (2B, solo HR, 2 R) all had 2 hits in the game.

The Grizzlies and 51s will play a doubleheader tonight, with game 1 starting at 5:05 Pacific. Brady Rodgers will face Darin Gorski in game 1. Fresno's starter for game 2 is TBA; whoever he is; he'll go up against Seth Lugo.

Corpus Christi 6, San Antonio 2

W- Evan Grills (4-4, 7-5 season)
L- Dinelson Lamet (3-6)

CC home runs: D.J. Fisher (16, grand slam in 5th)

The Hooks only scored in one inning, but that output was enough for them to complete the sweep. In addition, a Hooks starter set a new career high in strikeouts for the second consecutive night.

Evan Grills pitched 7.2 innings and allowed 2 unearned runs on 5 hits, walked 1, and struck out a career-high 12 batters. Eric Peterson allowed a hit and struck out 1 over the final 1.1 innings.

Corpus parlayed a bases-loaded, no out situation in the 5th into the 6 runs they put up on Wednesday. Roberto Peña and Tony Nuñez singled to lead off the inning, and Ramon Laureano drew a walk to bring up James Ramsay, who opened the scoring with a walk. J.D. Davis went down on strikes, but Nick Tanielu drew another walk to bring in another run. D.J. Fisher was next, and he promptly cleared the bases with a grand slam. Peña finished 2-4 and was the only player in the Hooks lineup with a multi-hit game. Alejandro Garcia singled and stole 2 bases (6, 12 season).

The Hooks will begin a 4-game series in Midland tonight at 7:00. Brian Holmes returns to the rotation, and he'll take on Joel Seddon.

Lake Elsinore 7, Lancaster 4

W- Jerry Keel (1-0)
L- Rogelio Armenteros (6-3, 6-5 season)

Lancaster home runs: Osvaldo Duarte (4, 7 season; solo in 1st)

The JetHawks ended up dropping 2 of 3 to the Storm.

Osvaldo Duarte fnished 3-4 and led off the bottom of the 1st with a home run. Later in the inning, Bryan Muñiz hit a sac fly. Duarte doubled to lead off the 8th and scored on a Drew Ferguson sac fly. Brooks Marlow went 2-4 and hit an RBI single in the 9th inning.

Rogelio Armenteros went 5 innings and allowed 3 runs on 6 hits (2-run homer) and struck out 6. Kevin McCanna tagged in for 3 innings, and the two runs he allowed were products of solo homers. He allowed two other hits and struck out 1. Alex Winkelman allowed 2 runs on 2 hits and struck out 2 in the 9th inning.

Dean Deetz will start the first of a 4-game series with Modesto. He'll face Ryan Castellani at 6:35 Pacific.

Peoria 6, Quad Cities 1

W- Ronnie Williams (1-0)
L- Matt Bower (4-1, 6-4 season)

QC home runs: None.

A couple of big innings doomed the Banditos in this game.

Ryne Birk's RBI double in the 7th was Quad Cities' only scoring play. Kristian Trompiz and Pat Porter both went 2-4 at the plate.

Matt Bower went 5 innings and allowed 6 runs on 9 hits (2-run and 3-run homers), walked 1, and struck out 5. Zac Person allowed a hit, walked 2, and struck out 4 over 3 scoreless innings.

In game 2 of this series, Elieser Hernandez will take on Derian Gonzalez. First pitch is at 7:00.

Tri-City 1, Aberdeen 0

W- Austin Nicely (5-1)
L- Steven Klimek (1-3)
S- Nick Hernandez (5)

TC home runs: None.

The ValleyCats dominated on the mound to take the first of 3 from the Ironbirds.

Agapito Barrios, Austin Nicely, and Nick Hernandez combined to throw a 1-hit shutout. Barrios allowed that one hit and struck out 6 over 5 innings. Nicely struck out 2 over 3 perfect innings, and Hernandez threw a 1-2-3 9th to complete the shutout.

Bryan De La Cruz hit a one-out single in the 8th and advanced to 2nd on an error. He moved over to 3rd on an Alex De Goti groundout and scored the only run of the game on a wild pitch. Marcos Almonte and Brauly Mejia both finished 2-4.

Sebastian Kessay will start game 2 of this series. First pitch is at 7:05 Eastern.

Greeneville was off

The Appy Astros will begin a 3-game series against Bristol tonight at 7:00 Eastern. Ben Smith gets the start.

DSL Rays1 6, DSL Astros Blue 4 in 10 innings

W- Jhoanbert Cedeno (1-2)
L- Juan Cuevas (6-4)
S- Reynier Montero (2)

Blue home runs: None.

The Blue team was able to tie the game in the 9th, but the Rays regained control by scoring 2 in the first extra frame.

Carlos Canelon opened the scoring with an RBI single in the 2nd inning. Later, Ronny Rafael added an RBI groundout. Nicolás Miranda added a sac fly in the 3rd. Enmanuel Valdez hit an RBI single in the bottom of the 9th. The Blue team had an opportunity to extend the game in the 10th inning, but they couldn't capitalize on a bases-loaded, 1 out situation. Valdez had 2 of the 3 hits for the Blue team in this game.

Johsson Arias allowed 4 hits, walked 1, and struck out 1 over 5 shutout innings. Angel Matos allowed 2 runs on 2 sac flies and walked 2 in the 6th. Jheyson Caraballo went 3 innings and allowed 2 runs (1 earned) on 3 hits, walked 1, and struck out 3. Juan Cuevas allowed 2 runs on 3 hits and struck out 2 in the 10th inning.

DSL Rangers2 5, DSL Astros Orange 4

W- Yerry Rodriguez (3-1)
L- Luis Castro (2-2)
S- Jeuyson Fernandez (3)

Orange home runs: Renaigel Martis (3, solo in 6th)

The Orange team mounted a rally that fell just short.

Renaigel Martis finished 2-5 and hit an RBI double in the 3rd and a solo homer in the 6th. Samir Caraballo hit a 2-run double in the 9th to cut the deficit to 1, but he was stranded at 2nd to end the game. Hector Martinez and Anthony Rodriguez both finished 2-4.

Luis Castro went 5 innings and allowed 4 runs on 6 hits (3-run homer), walked 1, and struck out 1. Freylin Garcia allowed a hit, walked 1, and struck out 1 in a scoreless 6th. Humberto Castellanos allowed a run on a sac fly, a single, walked 1, and struck out 2 in 2 innings.

Wednesday's Stars

Johsson Arias, RHP, DSL Astros Blue: 5 IP, 4 H, BB, K
Renaigel Martis, OF, DSL Astros Orange: 2-5, 2B, solo HR (3), 2 RBI

Jon Kemmer, OF, Fresno

3-6, go-ahead 2-R single in 11th

Colin Moran, IF, Fresno

3-4, 2B, 2-R HR (7), 2 R

Reymin Guduan, LHP, Fresno

W (1-3, 2-3 season), 3 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 4 K

Jordan Jankowski, RHP, Fresno

Save (3), IP, 3 K

Evan Grills, LHP, Corpus Christi

W (4-4, 7-5 season), 7.2 IP, 5 H, 2 unearned runs, BB, 12 K (career-high)

Osvaldo Duarte, UTIL, Lancaster

3-4, 2B, solo HR (4, 7 season), 2 R

Zac Person, LHP, Quad Cities

3 IP, H, 2 BB, 4 K

 

Nick Hernandez's photo from MiLB.com

Agapito Barrios, RHP, Austin Nicely, LHP, and Nick Hernandez, RHP, Tri-City

Barrios: 5 IP, H, 6 K

Nicely: W (5-1), 3 IP, 2 K

Hernandez: Save (5), IP

Tweet of the Day

Can't wait to get to spring training and get away from this high of 10 degrees! #Kissimmee #14days
— Austin Nicely (@anice1414) February 19, 2015

Happy Birthday - 12/13

Happy Birthday to ~

LHP Austin Nicely (20)
A 10th round draft pick by Houston in 2013, Nicely played for the Greeneville Astros in 2014. In 12 games (10 starts), he was 2-6 with a 3.88 ERA and a 1.664 WHIP.

A few former Astros also celebrate the day ~

RHP Ron Taylor (77)
Taylor came to Houston in a June 1965 trade with the Cardinals and pitched in 68 games for the Astros in 1965 and 1966 with a 6.03 ERA and a 1.496 WHIP. Following his playing career, he went back to school at the University of Toronto, got his medical degree and became the team doctor for the Blue Jays.

SS/3B Dale Berra (58)
A first round pick by the Pirates in 1975, Berra came to Houston as a free agent in August 1986 and played in only 19 games for the Astros in 1987 at the end of his major league career. He hit .178/.296/.244. According to Baseball-Reference, Berra was once quoted in talking about his father Yogi as saying, "Our similarities are different."

RHP Aneury Rodriguez (27)
Originally signed by the Rockies as a NDFA out of the Dominican Republic in 2005, the Astros acquired Rodgriguez from Tampa Bay in the Rule 5 draft in 2010. After spending all season on the Astros roster as a Rule 5 draft pick in 2011, Rodriguez spent the vast majority of his 2012 season at Oklahoma City with only one start in Houston. In 44 games (nine starts) for Houston, he was 1-6 with a 5.12 ERA and a 1.303 WHIP.

Tweet of the Day

Want to take time to thank everyone in Greeneville; my team, coaches, and fans for an unforgettable season! Had a great summer! #goStros
— Austin Nicely (@anice1414) August 30, 2014

Tweet of the Day

Everyday that I get to get back on the bump is a blessing! #livingadream
— Austin Nicely (@anice1414) April 24, 2014

Happy Birthday - 12/13

Happy Birthday to ~

LHP Austin Nicely (19)
A 10th round draft pick by Houston in 2013, Nicely saw limited action in his first professional season. In six appearances (four starts) for the Gulf Coast League Astros, Nicely went 0-2 with a 4.91 ERA and a 1.418 WHIP in 18+ innings.

Former Astros with birthdays today ~

RHP Ron Taylor (76)
Taylor came to Houston in a June 1965 trade with the Cardinals and pitched in 68 games for the Astros in 1965 and 1966 with a 6.03 ERA and a 1.496 WHIP. Following his playing career, he went back to school at the University of Toronto, got his medical degree and became the team doctor for the Blue Jays.

SS/3B Dale Berra (57)
A first round pick by the Pirates in 1975, Berra came to Houston as a free agent in August 1986 and played in only 19 games for the Astros in 1987 at the end of his major league career. He hit .178/.296/.244. According to Baseball-Reference, Berra was once quoted in talking about his father Yogi as saying, "Our similarities are different."

RHP Aneury Rodriguez (26)
Originally signed by the Rockies as a NDFA out of the Dominican Republic in 2005, the Astros acquired Rodgriguez from Tampa Bay in the Rule 5 draft in 2010. After spending all season on the Astros roster as a Rule 5 draft pick in 2011, Rodriguez spent the vast majority of his 2012 season at Oklahoma City with only one start in Houston. In 44 games (nine starts) for Houston, he was 1-6 with a 5.12 ERA and a 1.303 WHIP.

Tweet of the Day

First toss of the offseason! Getting closer! #feelssogood
— Austin Nicely⚾ (@anice1414) December 2, 2013