Japhet Amador #29

His full name is pronounced as: jaw-fit ahmah-DOOR...Made his professional debut at the age of 20 with Los Petroleros de Minatitlan, which translates to English as the Minatitlan Oilers...This marks his second affiliation with a Major League franchise...the Mets signed him to a minor league contract prior to the 2011 season, but loaned him out to Mexico City for the entire regular season...he was outrighted back to the Mexican League prior to the 2012 season...The Astros have only had seven Mexicanborn players to appear in a regular season Major League game in franchise history, including just four position players: 3B Vinny Castilla (2001), 1B Jose Tolentino (1991), C Alex Trevino (1988-90) and SS Hector Torres (1968-70, 1973)...On Aug. 18, 2013, the Astros agreed to terms with the Diablos Rojos de Mexico (Mexico City Red Devils) of the Mexican League to acquire Amador and OF Leo Heras...the terms of the deal were not disclosed...Amador is currently signed to a minor league contract with an invitation to Major League Spring Training, which he received on Jan. 14, 2014.

2013

Began the season with Los Diablos Rojos de Mexico (Mexico City Red Devils) and would earn his third Mexican League All-Star appearance after hitting .368 (147x400) with 22 doubles, 36 home runs, 121 RBI and a .419 OBP in 104 games...led the Mexican League in RBI, while ranking second in homers and third in total bases (277)...following the regular season, the Astros acquired his rights, along with the rights of teammate OF Leo Heras, on Aug. 18...was assigned to Triple A Oklahoma City, where he played in 10 games, hitting .302 (13x43)...made his debut with OKC on Aug. 24 at Round Rock, going 2x5 with an RBI...did not homer in the regular season, but hit his first stateside home run in the RedHawks third playoff game...following the regular season, was assigned to Peoria in the Arizona Fall League and hit .284 (19x67) with four homers and 12 RBI in 18 games...after the AFL, returned to Guasave in the Mexican Winter League for his fifth straight season and appeared in 36 games.

2012

Outrighted out of the Mets system on April 1 and would go on to hit .251 (71x283) with 12 doubles, 15 homers and 50 RBI for Mexico City...returned to Guasave for his fourth consecutive season in the Mexican Winter League...hit .286 (68x238) with 10 doubles, 17 homers and 53 RBI in 66 games.

2011

On March 10, prior to the season, signed by the New York Mets to a minor league contract and placed on the rookie level Brooklyn Cyclones roster...loaned back to Mexico City on April 1....proceeded to make his second consecutive Mexican League All-Star team after hitting .376 (132x351) with 22 doubles, 25 homers and 84 RBI...played for Guasave in the Mexican Winter League following the season and hit .280 (63x225) with 11 doubles, 14 homers and 46 RBI in 63 games.

2010

Acquired by Mexico City from Veracruz prior to the regular season in exchange for four players: RHP Francisco Cordova, LHP Ricardo Rincon, SS Rolando Acosta and 3B Efren Espinoza...Cordova and Rincon both played multiple seasons in the Major Leagues...was a Mexican League All-Star in 2010 after hitting .366 (100x273) with 26 doubles, 14 homers and 63 RBI for the Diablos Rojos...played for Guasave in the Mexican Winter League and finished his campaign hitting .299 (53x177) with 10 doubles, seven homers and 30 RBI.

2009

Had a breakout 2009 season during which he was named the co-Rookie of the Year in the Mexican League along with LHP Juan Pablo Oramas...split his campaign between Minatitlan and Veracruz and combined to hit .306 (120x392) with 21 doubles, 21 home runs and 74 RBI in 104 games...played for Guasave in the Mexican Winter League following the regular season and posted a .270 (31x115) average with six doubles, eight homers and 24 RBI in 44 games.

2008

Played in 17 games for Minatitlan in his age 21 season, hitting .265 (9x34) with one homer and two RBI...hit his first professional home run on July 4 vs. Quintana Roo...hit .417 (5x12) in limited duty against left-handed pitchers.

2007

Made his professional debut at the age of 20 with the Petroleros de Minatitlan in the Mexican League, which is the equivalent of the Triple A level...played in 29 games, making only 13 starts, 12 at first base and one at DH...entered the game as a pinch-hitter in his first nine contests (0x9, 3 BB)...made his first career start on June 29 vs. Quintana Roo...picked up his first professional hit in his 15th pro game on July 12 vs. Tabasco...finished his season hitting .200 (11x55) with six RBI, 12 walks and a .343 OBP.