SAN MARCOS, Texas – Former Texas State player Jose Gonzalez signed a minor league deal with the Houston Astros at the beginning of the month.
 
"I couldn't be more excited for Jose to get this opportunity. He had an amazing career for us and then went and put up great numbers in pro baseball," said Bobcat baseball head coach Steven Trout. "He is a fan favorite and household name for Bobcat fans. I know they all will be following his career in the Astros organization."
 
This past year he played for the Yuba-Sutter High Wheelers out of the Pioneer League. The outfielder played in 88 games and led the team in home runs (19), RBI (84) and OPS (1.113).
 
In his three-year Bobcat career, Gonzalez hit 33 homers that are the second most in program history. He also batted .290 with 173 hits, 40 doubles, 145 RBI and 109 runs. The Spring, Texas native drew 109 walks on his way to posting a .408 OBP while also stealing 21 bases.
 
Gonzalez was a member of the historic 2022 team that won a program record 47 games, claimed the Sun Belt Conference regular season title and advanced to the Stanford Regional championship game. That year saw him be named to the all-conference second team and the Stanford All-Region Team after hitting three home runs against the host Cardinals.
 
In February, Gonzalez will report to the Astros spring training facility in West Palm Beach, Florida.
 
He is the fourth member of the 2022 squad to join a major league organization along with Dalton Shuffield (Minnesota), Tristan Stivors (Chicago (AL)) and Levi Wells (Baltimore).
 
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