The Houston Astros farm system consists of seven Minor League Baseball affiliates across the United States and in the Dominican Republic. Six teams are owned by the major league club, while the Asheville Tourists are independently owned.
The Astros have been affiliated with the Double-A Corpus Christi Hooks of the Texas League since 2005, making it the longest-running active affiliation in the organization. The longest continuous affiliation in team history was the 21-year relationship with the Double-A Southern League's Columbus Astros/Mudcats from 1970 to 1990. Their newest affiliates are the Triple-A Sugar Land Space Cowboys of the Pacific Coast League and the High-A Asheville Tourists of the South Atlantic League, which became Astros affiliates in 2021.
Geographically, Houston's closest domestic affiliate is the Sugar Land Space Cowboys, which are approximately 20 miles (32 km) away. Houston's furthest domestic affiliate is the Single-A Fayetteville Woodpeckers of the Carolina League some 1,165 miles (1,875 km) away.
The Houston Astros farm system consists of seven minor league affiliates. [1]
Season | Each year is linked to an article about that particular Astros/Colt .45s season. |
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Minor League Baseball operated with six classes (Triple-A, Double-A, Class A, Class B, Class C, and Class D) in 1962. [2]
Season | Triple-A | Double-A | Class A | Class B | Class C | Class D | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1962 | Oklahoma City 89ers | — | — | Durham Bulls | Modesto Colts | Moultrie Colt .22s | [3] |
Prior to the 1963 season, Major League Baseball (MLB) initiated a reorganization of Minor League Baseball that resulted in a reduction from six classes to four (Triple-A, Double-A, Class A, and Rookie) in response to the general decline of the minors throughout the 1950s and early-1960s when leagues and teams folded due to shrinking attendance caused by baseball fans' preference for staying at home to watch MLB games on television. The only change made within the next 27 years was Class A being subdivided for the first time to form Class A Short Season in 1966. [2]
Season | Triple-A | Double-A | Class A | Class A Short Season | Rookie | Ref(s). |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1963 | Oklahoma City 89ers | San Antonio Bullets | Durham Bulls Modesto Colts Moultrie Colt .22s | — | — | [4] |
1964 | Oklahoma City 89ers | San Antonio Bullets | Durham Bulls Modesto Colts | — | Cocoa Colts | [5] |
1965 | Oklahoma City 89ers | Amarillo Sonics | Cocoa Astros Durham Bulls Salisbury Astros | — | FRL Astros | [6] |
1966 | Oklahoma City 89ers | Amarillo Sonics | Cocoa Astros Durham Bulls Salisbury Astros | Bismarck-Mandan Pards | — | [7] |
1967 | Oklahoma City 89ers | Amarillo Sonics | Asheville Tourists Cocoa Astros | — | Covington Astros | [8] |
1968 | Oklahoma City 89ers | Dallas–Fort Worth Spurs | Cocoa Astros Greensboro Patriots | — | Covington Astros | [9] |
1969 | Oklahoma City 89ers | Savannah Senators [n 1] | Cocoa Astros Peninsula Astros | Williamsport Astros | Covington Astros | [11] |
1970 | Oklahoma City 89ers | Columbus Astros | Cocoa Astros | Williamsport Astros | Covington Astros | [12] |
1971 | Oklahoma City 89ers | Columbus Astros | Cocoa Astros Sumter Astros | — | Covington Astros | [13] |
1972 | Oklahoma City 89ers | Columbus Astros | Cocoa Astros | — | Cocoa Astros Covington Astros | [14] |
1973 | Denver Bears | Columbus Astros | Cedar Rapids Astros | — | Covington Astros | [15] |
1974 | Denver Bears | Columbus Astros | Cedar Rapids Astros | — | Covington Astros | [16] |
1975 | Iowa Oaks | Columbus Astros | Dubuque Packers | — | Covington Astros | [17] |
1976 | Memphis Blues | Columbus Astros | Dubuque Packers | — | Covington Astros | [18] |
1977 | Charleston Charlies | Columbus Astros | Cocoa Astros | — | GCL Astros | [19] |
1978 | Charleston Charlies | Columbus Astros | Daytona Beach Astros | — | GCL Astros | [20] |
1979 | Charleston Charlies | Columbus Astros | Daytona Beach Astros | — | GCL Astros | [21] |
1980 | Tucson Toros | Columbus Astros | Daytona Beach Astros | — | GCL Astros Blue GCL Astros Orange | [22] |
1981 | Tucson Toros | Columbus Astros | Daytona Beach Astros | — | GCL Astros Blue GCL Astros Orange | [23] |
1982 | Tucson Toros | Columbus Astros | Asheville Tourists Daytona Beach Astros | Auburn Astros | GCL Astros | [24] |
1983 | Tucson Toros | Columbus Astros | Asheville Tourists Daytona Beach Astros | Auburn Astros | GCL Astros | [25] |
1984 | Tucson Toros | Columbus Astros | Asheville Tourists Daytona Beach Astros | Auburn Astros | GCL Astros | [26] |
1985 | Tucson Toros | Columbus Astros | Asheville Tourists Osceola Astros | Auburn Astros | GCL Astros | [27] |
1986 | Tucson Toros | Columbus Astros | Asheville Tourists Osceola Astros | Auburn Astros | GCL Astros | [28] |
1987 | Tucson Toros | Columbus Astros | Asheville Tourists Osceola Astros | Auburn Astros | GCL Astros | [29] |
1988 | Tucson Toros | Columbus Astros | Asheville Tourists Osceola Astros | Auburn Astros | GCL Astros | [30] |
1989 | Tucson Toros | Columbus Mudcats | Asheville Tourists Osceola Astros | Auburn Astros | GCL Astros DSL Astros/Rangers/White Sox | [31] [32] |
Minor League Baseball operated with six classes from 1990 to 2020. In 1990, the Class A level was subdivided for a second time with the creation of Class A-Advanced. The Rookie level consisted of domestic and foreign circuits. [2]
Season | Triple-A | Double-A | Class A-Advanced | Class A | Class A Short Season | Rookie | Foreign Rookie | Ref(s). |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1990 | Tucson Toros | Columbus Mudcats | Osceola Astros | Asheville Tourists | Auburn Astros | GCL Astros | DSL Astros/Cardinals | [33] [34] |
1991 | Tucson Toros | Jackson Generals | Osceola Astros | Asheville Tourists | Auburn Astros | GCL Astros | DSL Astros | [35] [36] |
1992 | Tucson Toros | Jackson Generals | Osceola Astros | Asheville Tourists Burlington Astros | Auburn Astros | GCL Astros | DSL Astros | [37] |
1993 | Tucson Toros | Jackson Generals | Osceola Astros | Asheville Tourists Quad Cities River Bandits | Auburn Astros | GCL Astros | DSL Astros DSL Astros/Giants/Phillies | [38] |
1994 | Tucson Toros | Jackson Generals | Osceola Astros | Quad Cities River Bandits | Auburn Astros | GCL Astros | DSL Astros/Brewers | [39] |
1995 | Tucson Toros | Jackson Generals | Kissimmee Cobras | Quad Cities River Bandits | Auburn Astros | GCL Astros | DSL Astros/Brewers | [40] |
1996 | Tucson Toros | Jackson Generals | Kissimmee Cobras | Quad Cities River Bandits | Auburn Doubledays | GCL Astros | DSL Astros/Red Sox | [41] |
1997 | New Orleans Zephyrs | Jackson Generals | Kissimmee Cobras | Quad Cities River Bandits | Auburn Doubledays | GCL Astros | DSL Astros | [42] |
1998 | New Orleans Zephyrs | Jackson Generals | Kissimmee Cobras | Quad Cities River Bandits | Auburn Doubledays | GCL Astros | DSL Astros | [43] |
1999 | New Orleans Zephyrs | Jackson Generals | Kissimmee Cobras | Michigan Battle Cats | Auburn Doubledays | Martinsville Astros | DSL Astros | [44] |
2000 | New Orleans Zephyrs | Round Rock Express | Kissimmee Cobras | Michigan Battle Cats | Auburn Doubledays | Martinsville Astros | DSL Astros | [45] |
2001 | New Orleans Zephyrs | Round Rock Express | — | Lexington Legends Michigan Battle Cats | Pittsfield Astros | Martinsville Astros | DSL Astros | [46] |
2002 | New Orleans Zephyrs | Round Rock Express | — | Lexington Legends Michigan Battle Cats | Tri-City ValleyCats | Martinsville Astros | DSL Astros VSL Venoco | [47] |
2003 | New Orleans Zephyrs | Round Rock Express | Salem Avalanche | Lexington Legends | Tri-City ValleyCats | Martinsville Astros | DSL Astros VSL Venoco | [48] |
2004 | New Orleans Zephyrs | Round Rock Express | Salem Avalanche | Lexington Legends | Tri-City ValleyCats | Greeneville Astros | DSL Astros VSL Venoco 1 | [49] |
2005 | Round Rock Express | Corpus Christi Hooks | Salem Avalanche | Lexington Legends | Tri-City ValleyCats | Greeneville Astros | DSL Astros VSL Astros | [50] |
2006 | Round Rock Express | Corpus Christi Hooks | Salem Avalanche | Lexington Legends | Tri-City ValleyCats | Greeneville Astros | DSL Astros VSL Astros | [51] |
2007 | Round Rock Express | Corpus Christi Hooks | Salem Avalanche | Lexington Legends | Tri-City ValleyCats | Greeneville Astros | DSL Astros VSL Astros | [52] |
2008 | Round Rock Express | Corpus Christi Hooks | Salem Avalanche | Lexington Legends | Tri-City ValleyCats | Greeneville Astros | DSL Astros VSL Astros | [53] |
2009 | Round Rock Express | Corpus Christi Hooks | Lancaster JetHawks | Lexington Legends | Tri-City ValleyCats | Greeneville Astros GCL Astros | DSL Astros | [54] |
2010 | Round Rock Express | Corpus Christi Hooks | Lancaster JetHawks | Lexington Legends | Tri-City ValleyCats | Greeneville Astros GCL Astros | DSL Astros | [55] |
2011 | Oklahoma City RedHawks | Corpus Christi Hooks | Lancaster JetHawks | Lexington Legends | Tri-City ValleyCats | Greeneville Astros GCL Astros | DSL Astros | [56] |
2012 | Oklahoma City RedHawks | Corpus Christi Hooks | Lancaster JetHawks | Lexington Legends | Tri-City ValleyCats | Greeneville Astros GCL Astros | DSL Astros | [57] |
2013 | Oklahoma City RedHawks | Corpus Christi Hooks | Lancaster JetHawks | Quad Cities River Bandits | Tri-City ValleyCats | Greeneville Astros GCL Astros | DSL Astros | [58] |
2014 | Oklahoma City RedHawks | Corpus Christi Hooks | Lancaster JetHawks | Quad Cities River Bandits | Tri-City ValleyCats | Greeneville Astros GCL Astros | DSL Astros Blue DSL Astros Orange | [59] |
2015 | Fresno Grizzlies | Corpus Christi Hooks | Lancaster JetHawks | Quad Cities River Bandits | Tri-City ValleyCats | Greeneville Astros GCL Astros | DSL Astros Blue DSL Astros Orange | [60] |
2016 | Fresno Grizzlies | Corpus Christi Hooks | Lancaster JetHawks | Quad Cities River Bandits | Tri-City ValleyCats | Greeneville Astros GCL Astros | DSL Astros Blue DSL Astros Orange | [61] |
2017 | Fresno Grizzlies | Corpus Christi Hooks | Buies Creek Astros | Quad Cities River Bandits | Tri-City ValleyCats | Greeneville Astros GCL Astros | DSL Astros Blue DSL Astros Orange | [62] |
2018 | Fresno Grizzlies | Corpus Christi Hooks | Buies Creek Astros | Quad Cities River Bandits | Tri-City ValleyCats | GCL Astros | DSL Astros | [63] |
2019 | Round Rock Express | Corpus Christi Hooks | Fayetteville Woodpeckers | Quad Cities River Bandits | Tri-City ValleyCats | GCL Astros | DSL Astros | [64] |
2020 [n 2] | Round Rock Express | Corpus Christi Hooks | Fayetteville Woodpeckers | Quad Cities River Bandits | Tri-City ValleyCats | GCL Astros | DSL Astros [n 3] DSL Astros | [66] |
The current structure of Minor League Baseball is the result of an overall contraction of the system beginning with the 2021 season. Class A was reduced to two levels: High-A and Low-A. [67] Low-A was reclassified as Single-A in 2022. [68]
Season | Triple-A | Double-A | High-A | Single-A | Rookie | Foreign Rookie | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021 | Sugar Land Skeeters | Corpus Christi Hooks | Asheville Tourists | Fayetteville Woodpeckers | FCL Astros | DSL Astros | [69] |
2022 | Sugar Land Space Cowboys | Corpus Christi Hooks | Asheville Tourists | Fayetteville Woodpeckers | FCL Astros Blue FCL Astros Orange | DSL Astros Blue DSL Astros Orange | [70] |
2023 | Sugar Land Space Cowboys | Corpus Christi Hooks | Asheville Tourists | Fayetteville Woodpeckers | FCL Astros | DSL Astros Blue DSL Astros Orange | [71] |
The Round Rock Express are a Minor League Baseball team of the Pacific Coast League (PCL) and the Triple-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers. They are located in Round Rock, Texas, and play their home games at the Dell Diamond. The team is named for Baseball Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan, who was nicknamed "The Ryan Express." Ryan, along with son Reid Ryan and Don Sanders make up the team's ownership group, Ryan Sanders Baseball.
This a partial list of Minor League Baseball players in the Houston Astros system and the rosters of their minor league affiliates:
Antonio Aristides Pacheco was a Cuban-born coach and scout in Major League Baseball. A longtime minor league infielder and manager, Pacheco coached in MLB for six seasons for the Cleveland Indians and Houston Astros.
James Robert Campbell is an American former professional baseball player, a catcher who played 82 games in the Major Leagues for the Houston Colt .45s during 1962 and 1963. He threw and batted right-handed, stood 6 feet (1.8 m) tall and weighed 190 pounds (86 kg).
The Sugar Land Space Cowboys are a Minor League Baseball team of the Pacific Coast League (PCL) and the Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros Major League Baseball club. They are located in Sugar Land, Texas, part of the Greater Houston metropolitan area, and play their home games at Constellation Field.
Prentice Almont "Pidge" Browne Jr. was an American professional baseball player. A first baseman, he was a longtime minor league star who had a half-season trial in Major League Baseball in 1962 in his 13th and final professional season at the age of 33. That year, as a member of the first-ever Houston Colt .45s squad, he participated in another unusual feat, representing a Houston-based professional baseball team at three different levels — Double-A, Triple-A and MLB.
Mickey Charles Storey is an American former professional baseball pitcher and current manager of the Houston Astros' Triple-A affiliate, the Sugar Land Space Cowboys. He has pitched in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Houston Astros and Toronto Blue Jays.
The 1962 Major League Baseball expansion was the formation of two new Major League Baseball (MLB) teams for the 1962 season. The Houston Colt .45s and the New York Mets were added to the National League (NL), becoming the 19th and 20th teams in MLB's two leagues. The Colt .45s were the first major league team in Houston while the Mets filled the void left when the New York Giants and Brooklyn Dodgers of the NL moved to California after the 1957 season.
Charles Forrest Whitley is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Houston Astros of Major League Baseball (MLB).
Korey Bryan Lee is an American professional baseball catcher for the Chicago White Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Houston Astros.
Enoli Norverto Paredes is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher in the Milwaukee Brewers organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Houston Astros.
Humberto Castellanos is a Mexican professional baseball pitcher in the Arizona Diamondbacks organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Houston Astros.
Joseph Perez is an American professional baseball third baseman in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Houston Astros.
Yainer Radhames Díaz is a Dominican professional baseball catcher for the Houston Astros of Major League Baseball (MLB).
Enmanuel Valdez is a Dominican professional baseball infielder for the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2023.
David James Hensley is an American professional baseball infielder for the Houston Astros of Major League Baseball (MLB). He attended San Diego State University (SDSU), played college baseball for the Aztecs, and was selected by the Astros in the 26th round of the 2018 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut in 2022.
César Salazar is a Mexican professional baseball catcher for the Houston Astros of Major League Baseball (MLB).