J. R. Towles
Born: 2/11/1984 in Crosby, TX, USA
MLB Debut: 2007-09-05 | Final Game: 2011-09-27
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'2" | Weight: 200 lbs
Full name: Justin Richard Towles
Biography
J. R. Towles was a professional baseball player born in 1984, who played as a position player in Major League Baseball from 2007 to 2011. He made his debut with the Houston Astros on September 5, 2007, and played his final game on September 27, 2011. Over the course of his career, Towles appeared in 155 games, where he recorded 80 hits, 11 home runs, and 50 RBIs, finishing with a batting average of .187. Despite his struggles at the plate, Towles was known for his defensive skills behind the dish, contributing to his team's pitching staff during his time in the majors.
Towles played during an era marked by significant changes in the game, including the evolution of catching techniques and the increasing emphasis on offensive production. While his offensive statistics may not reflect the highs of some contemporaries, his dedication to the position and ability to handle pitchers remained valuable assets throughout his career. After leaving the field, Towles's journey in baseball continued, reflecting the often challenging path many players face in transitioning from the diamond to life after professional sports.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 155 | 428 | 40 | 80 | 22 | 0 | 11 | 50 | 0 | 37 | 95 | 0.187 | 0.267 | 0.315 | 0.583 | -1838.9 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | HOU | NL | 14 | 40 | 9 | 15 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 12 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0.375 | 0.0 |
| 2008 | HOU | NL | 54 | 146 | 10 | 20 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 16 | 0 | 16 | 40 | 0.137 | -846.8 |
| 2009 | HOU | NL | 16 | 48 | 7 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 16 | 0.188 | -165.2 |
| 2010 | HOU | NL | 17 | 47 | 3 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 0.191 | -203.8 |
| 2011 | HOU | NL | 54 | 147 | 11 | 27 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 11 | 0 | 13 | 26 | 0.184 | -623.1 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 148 | 124 | 836 | 56 | 9 | 5 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | HOU | C | 14 | 9 | 65 | 6 | 0 | 1 |
| 2008 | HOU | C | 53 | 47 | 312 | 13 | 2 | 1 |
| 2009 | HOU | C | 15 | 14 | 83 | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| 2010 | HOU | C | 15 | 13 | 92 | 7 | 1 | 0 |
| 2011 | HOU | C | 51 | 41 | 284 | 22 | 6 | 3 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Catcher | 148 |
Salary History
| Year | Team | League | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | HOU | NL | $424,000 |
| 2010 | HOU | NL | $406,500 |
| 2008 | HOU | NL | $390,000 |
| Total Career Earnings | $1,220,500 | ||
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Collin College | Dallas | TX | 2003 |
| North Central Texas College | Gainesville | TX | 2004 |