Standouts from 2005 to suit up for Astros next spring
Published on November 18, 2005 under Texas League (TL1)
Corpus Christi Hooks News Release
(CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas) - The Houston Astros announced this afternoon that outfielder Josh Anderson and starting pitcher Jason Hirsh, two of the bright prospects that played for the Hooks this past season, have been added to the club's 40-man roster. Astros' General Manager Tim Purpura also announced the addition of pitchers Matt Albers, Jimmy Barthmaier and Felipe Paulino.
Anderson, in just his third season as a professional, batted .282 for the Hooks with 26 RBI's in 127 games. The speedy center fielder finished the year as the Texas League's stolen base leader with 50 steals in 69 attempts. He also tied for the team lead in triples (9) and runs scored (67). Just this past week, Anderson concluded a successful stint with the Surprise Scorpions in the Arizona Fall League, where he batted .360-1-12 with 10 stolen bases in exactly 100 at-bats.
Hirsh, like Anderson 23 years of age and in his third pro season, was the Texas League's Pitcher of the Year, posting a 13-8 record with a 2.87 ERA. His 165 strikeouts led the league, and he finished tied for second in the circuit in wins, second in ERA and second in innings pitched (172.1).
The other three pitchers who were added to the Astros' 40-man roster all have a chance at playing for the Hooks in the near future. Albers went 8-12 with a 4.66 ERA in 28 games for Class-A Salem of the Carolina League in 2005. The 22-year-old hails from Sugar Land, Texas and played his college ball at San Jacinto Junior College.
Barthmaier, 21, went 11-6 with a league best 2.27 ERA for Class-A Lexington in the South Atlantic League. He then made one appearance for Salem, posting a win and a 1.50 ERA. Paulino, 22, was a combined 3-3 with a 2.95 ERA in 20 appearances divided between Short-Season Tri-City of the New York-Penn League and Lexington.
In order to make room for the five on the 40-man roster, the Astros released outfielder Charles Gipson and outrighted pitcher Jared Gothreaux to Triple-A Round Rock. Plus, earlier this week, pitcher Mike Burns was claimed on waivers by the Cincinnati Reds.
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