Jonny Ash

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Jonathan D. Ash

BR Minors page

Biographical Information[edit]

Infielder Jonny Ash played in the Houston Astros minor league system from 2004 to 2008 and in independent ball in 2009. He reached Triple-A in 2008, but had most of his success in the lower minors and never made the major leagues.

Drafted by the Astros in the 11th round of the 2004 amateur draft - one pick after pitcher Michael Saunders - and signed by scout Gene Wellman, Ash began his career well, hitting .297/.388/.377 his rookie year. He followed that with lines of .320/.381/.455 in 2005, .314/.370/.403 in 2006 and .300/.374/.404 in 2007. He was a South Atlantic League Mid-Season All-Star in 2005 for the Lexington Legends, a Texas League Post-Season All-Star in 2006 for the Corpus Christi Hooks and a Texas League Mid-Season All-Star, and the All-Star Game "Top Star," in 2007.

He struggled upon reaching Triple-A, however, batting only .224/.326/.263 in 73 games for the Round Rock Express in 2008, and the Astros let him go to the Milwaukee Brewers in the Rule 5 Draft following the season. The Brewers released him in early April 2009 and he signed with the independent Chico Heat. Regaining his stroke in 2009, he hit .313/.401/.402 in 71 games in his final season.

Overall, Ash hit .301/.375/.396 with 578 hits, 191 walks and only 149 strikeouts in 554 games over six seasons.