Astros Minor League Player Releases

I just got word that three more players were given their unconditional release by the Astros this morning:

RHP Charles Basford, 23, came to the Astros in the June 2013 Fernando Martinez trade with the Yankees.

IF Ryan Dineen, 23, was drafted by Houston in the 25th round in 2012 out of Eastern Illinois University.

LHP Kenny Long, 25, was drafted in the 22nd round in 2012 out of Illinois State University. Kenny was instrumental in helping the JetHawks win the California League Championship in 2012 as he shone out of the 'pen for that Lancaster team. He also provided us with many laughs as he was frequently featured in my Tweet of the Day.

I didn't really have an opportunity to get to know Dineen and, unfortunately, I never even met Basford, but I can assure you that Kenny Long will definitely be missed.

I'm running late, but you can click on the player's name to see their stats.

Happy Birthday - 7/16

Happy Birthday to ~

RHP Charles Basford (23)
Originally drafted by the Yankees in the 37th round in 2012 out of Samford University in Birmingham, Basford came to the Houston organization in a June trade which sent Fernando Martinez to the Yankees. In six appearances for Tri-City since the trade, Basford is 1-0 with a 4.50 ERA and a 2.167 WHIP.

One former Astro with a birthday today ~

RHP Jonathan Johnson (39)
A first round pick by the Rangers in 1995, Johnson came to Houston as a free agent in October of 2002. In four games for the Astros in 2003, he was 0-1 with a 5.87 ERA and a 2.283 WHIP. According to Baseball-Reference, he was 1-1 with a 3.84 ERA for Team USA in the 1994 Baseball World Cup.