J.R. Towles

Major League Baseball catcher J.R. Towles currently plays for the Houston Astros.

Towles was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in both the 2002 and 2003 MLB Drafts, but each time declined to sign. Instead, he attended school at North Central Texas College. On June 7, 2004 he was drafted for the third time, by the Houston Astros. He was immediately placed with several of the Astros minor league affiliates. His 2006 league play was very successful, playing in 81 games, batting .317 and hitting 11 homeruns. Also in 2006 he was selected for the Low Class-A All-Star Team by Baseball America.

After beginning the following season still playing well in the minors, Towles was called up to make his MLB debut with the Astros on September 5, 2007. He joined the Astros for 14 games his rookie season hitting nine runs, while still playing 100 games in the minors. He was also selected for the All-Star Futures Game in 2007, where the top minor league prospects converge for an exhibition game.

The Astros announced in March 2008 that Towles would be their top catcher, with veteran catcher Brad Ausmus serving as his backup and mentor. Fast Facts:

1. Full name: Justin Richard Towles
2. Born: February 11, 1984
3. Birth Place: Crosby, Texas
4. Major League Debut: September 5, 2007 for the Houston Astros
5. Set an Astros club record with 8 RBIs in a single game against the St. Louis Cardinals on September 20, 2007
6. In 2002 and 2003 he was drafted but did not sign with the Oakland Athletics
7. Involved in his church activities