Calvin Portley

Calvin R. Portley

• Bats Both, Throws Right
• Height 5' 10", Weight 165 lb.
• High School Longview High School
• Born November 14, 1954 in Longview, TX USA

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

Second baseman Calvin Portley played in the minor leagues from 1973 to 1978.

He was drafted by the Houston Astros in the 1st round, 20th overall, of the 1973 amateur draft - ahead of notable catchers Steve Swisher and Steve Nicosia and in the same round as Hall of Famer Robin Yount.

He played in the Astros system until 1976, posting respective slash lines of .207/.316/.266, .226/.314/.277, .239/.379/.272 and .252/.371/.282 in his four years with the club. Joining the Detroit Tigers system in 1977 and remaining there through 1978, he hit .194/.378/.224 and .188/.284/.218 in his two years in their organization.

Overall, Portley hit .228/.349/.268 with 357 hits in 500 games over six seasons, with only one home run, 29 doubles and 15 triples. Though he wasn't a high-average hitter, he maintained a respectable on-base percentage because he could draw a walk - in 1975, he walked 99 times to only 73 strikeouts, in 1976 he had 61 walks and only 56 Ks and in 1977 he had 28 walks and only 20 whiffs. In total, he had 279 walks and 286 strikeouts in his career.