T.J. Steele

Thomas R. Steele

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 3", Weight 205 lb.
• School University of Arizona
• High School Canyon del Oro High School
• Born September 21, 1986 in Tucson, AZ USA

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

Outfielder T.J. Steele played in the minor leagues from 2008 to 2012. He was originally taken by the Houston Astros in the 22nd round of the 2005 amateur draft, a few picks ahead of pitcher Tommy Hanson, but opted not to sign. He did sign after Houston took him in the 4th round of the 2008 amateur draft, one pick ahead of pitcher Joe Wieland and also ahead of future All-Stars Dee Strange-Gordon and Jason Kipnis. He was signed by scout Mark Ross for a bonus of $267,000. Though he was a New York-Penn League Mid-Season All-Star in 2008, perhaps his best campaign was 2009, when he hit .345/.385/.562 with 5 home runs and 40 RBI in 50 games for the Lancaster JetHawks. As a result, Baseball America named him the #10 prospect in the Astros system going into 2010. In 2011, with the Corpus Christi Hooks, he had 11 home runs and 20 stolen bases, but slashed just .215/.249/.354.

Overall, Steele batted .247/.284/.379 with 23 home runs and 151 RBI in 327 games.