Astros: Top 10 non-prospects that surprised with big impacts

3. Luis Gonzalez

The second highest draftee we have on this list, Luis Gonzalez was drafted in the 4th round of the 1988 MLB Draft out of Southern Alabama University.

Gonzo, as he affectionately became know, was more known for his skills on the base paths early in his career, as opposed to his later life in baseball.

Debuting in 1990, he merely came up for a cup of coffee with the Astros late in September. It was only in 1991 when he really found his footing in the outfield. Flanking his teammate for life, Steve Finley, Gonzalez would form an outfield tandem that would set the precedent for outfielders who don an Astros uniform.

1993 was his best year as an Astro, hitting 15 home runs, stealing 20 bases, and hitting for .300. Not too shabby for a “speed first” outfielder.

On June 28th, however, the Astros made a head-scratching trade to the Chicago Cubs that would net them only Catcher Rick Wilkins, who would only stay with the club for one year.

Luis Gonzalez would go on to have a productive stint with the Cubs, but when he became a free agent in 1996, he would join back up with the club that drafted him on a one-year deal.

He would then travel the same path that JD Martinez would follow, as he headed to Detroit to find his power stroke. After spending just one year in the Motor City, Gonzalez found career highs in home runs (23), doubles (35), and runs (84).

He would then head for sunny Arizona, where a young Arizona team was just starting up its own story. The Diamondbacks were only one year into their MLB Franchise tenure and they already picked up the likes of Randy Johnson, Jay Bell, Matt Williams, and Steve Finley.  The perfect start to a franchise.

Gonzo would go on and have himself a career while in Arizona, gathering four All-Star appearances, one Silver Slugger Award,  one World Series title, and career highs in all hitting categories. Namely, in the Diamondbacks World Series year, he topped 57 home runs, 142 RBIs, .325 average, 128 runs, and 100 walks.

While yes, his more productive years were found in another state, on another younger team. However, in his seven years with the Astros, Gonzo set the tone for multiple position players that followed him. He set an example for young kids watching him on how to run effectively. He was the best left fielder the Astros had known until the mid-2000s.