Signed by Houston as a non-drafted free agent on June 26, 1997...recommended
by Julio Linares, Rick Aponte and Luis Coronado (Astros).
2004
Spent the entire 2004 season at Round Rock (AA) in the Houston
organization...went 6-4 with 32 saves and a 2.63 ERA in 55 appearances...Was named to the 2004 Texas League West Division All-Star team...Finished 2nd in the Texas League with 32 saves and 4th among all minor
leaguers...Pitched in the Dominican Winter League for Aguilas, compiling a 5-1 record
and a 0.90 ERA in 23 appearances...allowed just 3 earned runs in 30.0 innings
pitched with 17 hits, 10 walks and 26 strikeouts.
2003
The Texas League All-Star was 5-2 with a 2.56 ERA (18ER/63.1IP) and four saves in 33 appearances for Double A Round Rockb&limited opponents to a .199 batting average for the Express.
- pitched from April 4-July 12 before being promoted to Triple A New Orleans (7/16-8/30).
- fanned 73 while walking only 26 with Round Rockb&was 2-0 with one save and a 1.53 ERA (3ER/17.2IP) in Juneb&finished his stint at Double A with a 3-0 record and 1.76 ERA (6ER/30.2IP) in 15 home games.
- was 3-0 with one save and a 1.42 ERA (4ER/25.1IP) from June 1 until his promotion to New Orleans.
- after allowing five earned runs over his first three appearances with New Orleans, went 2-0 with one save and a 1.69 ERA (3ER/16IP) from July 26-Aug. 30.
- allowed one earned run over 13 innings and 10 games on the road for New Orleans.
