1990 Houston Astros minor leaguers, GCL to Tucson

Features on each member of the 1990 Houston Astros farm system - anyone who got into a game from rookie ball to AAA.

Complete:

• AAA - Tucson Toros (51)
• AA - Columbus Mudcasts (49)
• High-A - Osceola Astros (40)
• Single-A - Asheville Tourists (31)
• Short-Season - Auburn Astros (39)
• Rookie - Gulf Coast League Astros (44)

Tucson Toros (51)

1 - Eric Anthony worked to be consistent over 9 majors seasons

2 - Jeff Baldwin played harder, saw 7 majors games with Astros

3 - Ryan Bowen earned reputation as hard-luck majors pitcher

4 - William Brennan saw two majors stints, five seasons apart

5 - Todd Brown helped minors teams for decade-plus, made AAA

6 - Mike Browning's playing career spanned fifteen years

7 - Casey Candaele took competitiveness to 9 majors seasons

8 - Jose Cano pitched in 6 ML games, home run derby to son

9 - Jim Clancy became early Blue Jays regular, passed in 2025

10 - Terry Clark kept plugging away, made bigs in 6 seasons

11 - Carlo Colombino tried over decade. made AAA with Astros
12 - Gary Cooper played to win for decade, saw 9 majors games

13 - Mark Davidson created opportunities over 6 ML seasons

14 - Kevin Dean became Expos 1st-rounder, saw 8 seasons, AAA

15 - Dave Eichhorn made AAA, returned from freak fan accident

16 - Brian Fisher started and relieved over 7 majors seasons

17 - Rusty Harris hit minors double off Valenzuela, made AAA
18 - Randy Hennis dealt with ups, downs, 3 games up in bigs

19 - Hector Heredia worked well under pressure in AAA, Mexico

20 - Trenidad Hubbard dreamed, made bigs over 10 seasons

21 - Blaise Ilsley pitched well, made bigs as player, coach

22 - Frank Kellner saw 8 pro seasons, 5 in hometown, coached
23 - Darryl Kile made 12 major league seasons, passed in 2002

24 - Edwin Marquez played in nine-plus pro seasons, made AAA
25 - Louie Meadows looked for majors role, saw 4 ML seasons
26 - Brian Meyer threw sliders, made 3 major league seasons

27 - Joe Mikulik recorded 1,000th pro hit in 1992, missed ML
28 - Carl Nichols concentrated, made majors over six seasons

29 - Guy Normand saw 6 pro seasons, went to Mexico, made AAA
30 - Jim Olander waited decade, then major league dream came true

31 - Javier Ortiz took best chance to 2 seasons with Astros

32 - Joe Ortiz made AAA after others' injuries, missed bigs

33 - Edinson Renteria went from street vender tp pro baseball

34 - Jerry Reuss played over 22 ML seasons, threw no-hitter

35 - Karl Rhodes hit line drives, home runs in U.S., Japan
36 - David Rohde made adjustments, bigs with Astros, Indians
37 - Randy St. Claire made 9 ML seasons, later coached there
38 - Pedro Sanchez saw 6 minors seasons, AAA, from Dominican
39 - Scott Servais saw 11 majors seasons, managed Mariners
40 - Mike Simms knew role in 9 ML seasons with Astros, Rangers
41 - Bob Skinner worked to win as ML player, manager, coach
42 - Craig Smajstrla went as far as he could, 8 majors games
43 - Harry Spilman showed patience in 12 ML seasons, coaching

44 - Doug Strange gained perspective over 9 majors seasons
45 - Brent Strom understood pitchers as ML player, coach

46 - Mark Thurmond helped Padres to Series, saw 8 ML seasons
47 - Jose Tolentino took his best chance to 44 majors games
48 - Tim Tolman knew his role as majors player, scout,  coach

49 - Lee Tunnell worked on confidence in six majors seasons

50 - Gene Walter worked hard, made bigs, then came injury

51 - Gerald Young stole bases early, saw eight majors seasons

Columbus Mudcats (49)

1. Manny Acta became trusted voice as majors coach, manager
2. Harold Allen used his work habits to make AAA with Astros
3. Willie Ansley impressed scouts enough for 7th overall pick
4. Eric Anthony worked to be consistent over 9 majors seasons
5. Jeff Baldwin played harder, saw 7 majors games with Astros
6. Peter Bauer learned screwball change, saw 6 seasons, AA
7. Daven Bond saw 7 pro seasons, then turned softball coach
8. Ryan Bowen earned reputation as hard-luck majors pitcher
9. Mike Browning's playing career spanned fifteen years
10. Jose Cano pitched in 6 ML games, home run derby to son
11. Tim Casey did his best over 8 pro seasons, made AAA
12. Andujar Cedeno got hits in 7 ML seasons, died in 2000 crash
13. Gary Cooper played to win for decade, saw 9 majors games
14. Fred Costello played decade in pros, made AAA, Taiwan
15. Todd Credeur played 5 seasons in Astros system, made AA
16. Glenn Davis got help, went from tough youth to ML star
17. Diamond Jim Devitt served in Vietnam, worked in Ga. media
18. Dave Eichhorn made AAA, returned from freak fan accident
19. Tony Eusebio hit over 9 majors seasons, all with Astros
20. Luis Gonzalez had good years, swing over 19 ML seasons
21. Rusty Harris hit minors double off Valenzuela, made AAA
22. Dean Hartgraves kept hope, made majors in ninth season
23. Trenidad Hubbard dreamed, made bigs over 10 seasons
24. Bert Hunter found wooden bats big adjustment, made AAA
    
25. Blaise Ilsley pitched well, made bigs as player, coach
26. Bernie Jenkins made AA, knew he'd see disappointment
27. Jeff Juden proved a unique player over eight majors seasons
28. Belinda Kay earned fans at Columbus, Georgia's South 106
29. Steve Lombardozzi helped Twins to title, saw 6 ML seasons
30. Tom Madison, as Mason Dixon, Georgia radio personality
31. Scott Makarewicz thought big things at AA, saw 10 seasons
32. Joe Mikulik recorded 1,000th pro hit in 1992, missed ML
33. Andy Mota worked hard, made 27 ML games, turned agent
34. Guy Normand saw 6 pro seasons, went to Mexico, made AAA
35. Dan Nyssen played 4 seasons, grew frustrated with progress
36. Joe Ortiz made AAA after others' injuries, missed bigs
37. Al Osuna established himself enough for 6 majors seasons
38. Ed Ponte made AA, then wanted to get back, saw 9 seasons
39. Ron Porterfield couldn't play, chose training, made bigs
40. Edinson Renteria went from street vender tp pro baseball
41. Jerry Reuss played over 22 ML seasons, threw no-hitter
42. Shane Reynolds flat-out pitched over 13 majors seasons
43. Bob Robertson played decade in majors, coached in minors
44. John Sheehan played over 6 pro seasons, briefly made AA
45. Rich Simon responded to challenge at AA, missed majors
46. Rick Sweet saw ML as player, had minors manager mentality
    
47. Dennis Tafoya showed dedication, saw seven seasons, AA
48. Charley Taylor got players to bigs, then he got there
49. Wally Trice found screwball variation, saw 7 seasons, AA

Osceola Astros (40)

1. Manny Acta became trusted voice as majors coach, manager
2. Don Angotti played four seasons, then became a teacher
3. Peter Bauer learned screwball change, saw 6 seasons, AA
4. Mike Beams worked 8 seasons in Astros, Red Sox systems
5. Jack Billingham gave up Aaron's 714th, saw 13 ML seasons
6. Scott Black got degree, drafted, played single season
7. Sal Butera made majors as player, then helped others there
8. Carlo Colombino tried over decade. made AAA with Astros
9. Gene Confreda served as trainer in minors, passed in 1990
10. Gary Cooper played to win for decade, saw 9 majors games
11. Chris Correnti became go-to trainer for Pedro, others
12. Ruben Cruz played four seasons, made high-A with Astros
13. Kevin Dean became Expos 1st-rounder, saw 8 seasons, AAA
14. Troy Dovey played five pro seasons, later went into movies
15. Rick Dunnum pitched wherever needed over 4 pro seasons
16. Bryan Foster improved enough for 5 pro seasons, high-A
17. Brian Griffiths picked up confidence then saw 6 pro seasons
18. David Henderson played 6 seasons, suffered collapsed lung
19. Cole Hyson gave best shot over 5 seasons, opened pawn shop
20. Todd Jones fulfilled potential over 16 ML seasons, 319 saves
21. Jeff Juden proved a unique player over eight majors seasons
22. Frank Kellner saw 8 pro seasons, 5 in hometown, coached
23. Larry Lamphere made Pan Am team, saw three pro seasons
24. Mica Lewis worked on consistency, saw six seasons, AA
25. Kenny Lofton helped teams many ways over 17 majors seasons
26. Ken Luckham proved encouraging in AA start, 6 seasons
27. Lance Madsen tried to relax, concentrate, saw 6 seasons, AAA
28. Scott Makarewicz thought big things at AA, saw 10 seasons
29. Rob Mallicoat worked hard to make majors, then get back
30. John Massarelli showed positive attitude over decade in pros
31. Dan Nyssen played 4 seasons, grew frustrated with progress
32. Joe Ortiz made AAA after others' injuries, missed bigs
33. Ed Ponte made AA, then wanted to get back, saw 9 seasons
34. Howard Prager swung bat well in AAA game, saw seven seasons
35. Matt Rambo had jitters early, saw 5 seasons, AA, injury
36. Bobby Ramos showed heart, passion over decades-long career
37. Toncie Reed showed potential at Osceola, saw 3 pro seasons
38. Gabriel Rodriguez walked Griffey at AA, played 6 seasons
39. Dennis Tafoya showed dedication, saw seven seasons, AA
40. Rodney Windes proved reliable over 6 seasons, made AAA

Asheville Tourists (31)

1 - Rick Aponte played in minors, coached in bigs with Nationals

2 - Perry Berry saw 4 seasons, high-A, went into education

3 - Ed Beuerlein took work ethic to three pro seasons, made AA

4 - Frank Cacciatore took coaching from college to minors

5 - Craig Curtis proved bright spot, saw 4 seasons, high-A

6 - Gershon Dallas played over four pro seasons, made high-A

7 - Troy Dovey played five pro seasons, later went into movies

8 - Juan Encarnacion went from baseball city to 1 pro season

9 - Chris Gardner built confidence, made 5 ML appearances

10 - Ben Gonzales pitched well at Osceola, saw 6 seasons, AA

11 - Anthony Gutierrez saw six seasons with Astros, high-A

12 - Dave Hajek turned prospect, saw 13 major league games

13 - Brett Holum played 3 pro seasons, later coached youth

14 - Brian L. Hunter showed speed over 10 major league seasons

15 - Luther Johnson saw ups, downs in 4 seasons, made high-A

16 - T.J. Lucin hoped to be FMLBBP, saw 2 seasons, single-A

17 - Justin McCray played 3 pro seasons, later turned scout

18 - Mike McDowell played 3 pro seasons, coached, instructed

19 - Orlando Miller made 4 majors seasons with Astros, Tigers

20 - Julio Munoz got big Asheville win, saw two pro seasons

21 - Francisco Perez played over four seasons, made single-A

22 - Jorge Pineda made perfect throw, played one pro season

23 - Ed Quijada played 7 seasons, later paralyzed in crash

24 - Limbert Rivas played two pro seasons, made single-A

25 - Eliezel Rosario started strong, saw 3 seasons, single-A

26 - Jose Santana showed speed quickly, saw four pro seasons

27 - Kevin Scott saw 5 pro seasons, called 'veteran-type'

28 - Mark Small got taste of majors with Astros, passed in 2013

29 - Edwin Valentin saw 3 seasons, single-A, from Puerto Rico

30 - Donne Wall proved hungry, made 8 major league seasons

31 - Ken Wheeler saw marathon outing, 5 pro seasons, high-A

Auburn Astros (39)
1 - Don Alexander coached in minors with Astros, Padres, others

2 - Dave Allen won statewide HS honor, played 7 pro seasons

3 - Jeff Ball got first - and only - ML hit in 9th pro season

4 - Efrain Barreiro went from Puerto Rico to pros, saw 2 seasons

5 - Duane Brown's career spanned decade, saw high-A, Taiwan

6 - Marc Copeland went from minors trainer to medical career

7 - Mark DelPiano showed work ethic as player, coach, scout

8 - Jose Flores saw 5 seasons, AA, later made bigs as coach

9 - Tony Gilmore had confidence at plate, saw 6 seasons, AAA

10 - John Graham worked as general manager in baseball town

11 - Lincoln Gumbs played three pro seasons, made two returns

12 - Mark Hampton played over decade, saw high-A, independents

13 - Chris Hatcher took opportunity to 8 games with Royals

14 - Bob Hurlbutt worked to prove himself, saw 3 pro seasons

15 - Bob Hurta played pro over six seasons, made AAA in two

16 - Michael Irwin took good college ERA to pros, one season

17 - Marty Jones made pro improvements, saw three seasons

18 - Doug Ketchen worked on consistency, made 6 seasons, AAA

19 - Layne Lambert played over three pro seasons, made AA

20 - Louie Martinez, from Virgin Islands to Austin to pros

21 - Steve McCumiskey went from college catching to pros

22 - Ray Montgomery stayed healthy enough to see 3 ML seasons

23 - Gary Mota could do some things, saw 8 pro seasons, AA

24 - Brian Porter played, turned assistant general manager

25 - Rick Peters lived kids' dream, made majors, coached

26 - Steve Powers pitched well in college, saw 4 pro seasons

27 - Dennis Reed turned to pitching, then pros, saw 3 seasons

28 - Kevin Rinaldi saw pros over two seasons, made single-A

29 - Vince Roman helped Ithaca College, saw 5 pro seasons, AA

30 - Tyrone Scott had live arm, saw 4 pro seasons, single-A

31 - Bryan Smith worked for excitement playing and afterward

32 - Lance Smith caught, but liked hitting best, saw 3 seasons

33 - Mark Stiteler threw well in college, saw 3 pro outings

34 - Marc Techman served as Auburn Astros hometown trainer

35 - Fletcher Thompson used speed in college, 6 pro seasons

36 - Steve Veit waited to sign before pros, saw two seasons

37 - Jason Wall gave solid college relief, saw 1 pro season

38 - Brian Williams strove for best over nine majors seasons

39 - David Wilson healed from injury to make pros, 3 seasons

1990 Gulf Coast League Astros (44)

1. Sam August saw 8 pro seasons, then returned to surfing, 4/7/25
2. Marsalis Basey played minors baseball, college basketball, 5/11/25
3. Brian Bennett started as catcher, pitched, saw 4 seasons, 4/26/25
4. Jeff Bennington fulfilled dream as pro; passed in 2023, 5/29/25
5. Scott Black got degree, drafted, played single season, 4/24/25
6. Steve Boatman went from high school to two pro seasons, 3/27/25
7. Duane Brown's career spanned decade, saw high-A, Taiwan, 2/25/25
8. Scott Bullard got credit for 4 pro games, passed in 2020, 6/1/25
9. Miguel Cabrera, of the Dominican, played 3 pro seasons, 5/21/25
10. Raul Chavez saw bigs over 11 seasons with Astros, others, 5/19/25
11. Gary Christopherson showed maturity early, saw 3 seasons, 3/16/25
12. Jorge Correa played 3 seasons, turned coach, instructor, 4/28/25
13. Ruben Cruz played four seasons, made high-A with Astros, 5/3/25
14. Juan De La Cruz played only season in Gulf Coast League, 6/1/25
15. Corey Diggs played Vellejo's Wilson Park, 2 pro seasons, 5/24/25
16. Gordy Farmer helped Arizona State, saw 5 seasons, high-A, 6/14/25
17. Mark Hampton played over decade, saw high-A, independents, 1/14/16
18. Quentin Harley went to play everyday, saw AA with Padres, 3/16/25
19. Javier Hernandez worked on strikes in three pro seasons, 5/27/25
20. Samir Jarad played over two pro seasons, six pro games, 5/11/25
21. Doug Kemp's pro career proved brief, three appearances, 4/27/25
22. Raphael Lanfranco caught in 4 minors seasons with Astros, 3/10/25
23. Julio Linares has coached, scouted, more over 4 decades, 6/18/25
24. Joey Locke played in minors, turned instructor, musician, 5/17/25
25. Rob Mallicoat worked hard to make majors, then get back, 6/8/25
26. Sixto Alberto Montero saw both Phillies, Astros systems, 2/28/25
27. Luis Navarro helped high school no-hitter, saw 3 seasons, 3/8/25
28. Tom Nevers made 1st round, saw 13 seasons, AAA, coached, 3/30/25
29. Fionel Nieves struggled with control, saw 2 pro seasons, 3/26/25
30. David Nix learned as pro, then injury, passed in 2018, 6/10/25
31. Roberto Petagine made bigs for Dad, saw 6 seasons, Japan, 3/8/25
32. Norbert Pickering made pros from Virgin Islands, 16 games, 3/15/25
33. Mario Prats saw 3 minors seasons with Astros, single-A, 3/1/25
34. Jon Quaid's career consisted of one season, 12 outings, 5/24/25
35. Glen Reyes sprinted from high school to pro baseball, 3/22/25
36. David Richison played high school football, pro baseball, 4/3/25
37. Kevin Rinaldi saw pros over two seasons, made single-A, 5/5/25
38. Guillermo Sabino saw just 10 pro games in rookie ball, 6/9/25
39. Lance Smith caught, but liked hitting best, saw 3 seasons, 4/25/25
40. Jermaine Swinton followed heart to decade-plus in pros, 3/23/25
41. John Vandemark gained new focus, saw 9 seasons, high-A, 6/17/25
42. Max Vejar came from baseball city, saw 13 pro outings, 6/15/25
43. David Wallace topped one scout's NYC list, saw 3 seasons, 5/31/25
44. Jimmy White showed patience, saw 7 pro seasons, made AA, 3/25/25