The Astros signed outfielder/first baseman Nick Stavinoha, a native of Jersey Village, Texas, to a minor league contract on Wednesday.
General manager Ed Wade made the announcement.
Stavinoha hit .270 with 28 homers, 109 RBI, 30 doubles and 84 runs scored while posting an .817 OPS over 533 at-bats in 133 games last season at Triple-A Memphis (Cardinals' affiliate).
The 29-year-old slugger finished the 2011 campaign tied for first in the Pacific Coast League in RBI and tied for fifth in home runs.
He's hit .234 with four home runs and 30 RBI in 147 career major league games over parts of three seasons (2008-10) with St. Louis.
Stavinoha, who was selected by the Cardinals in the seventh round of the 2005 First-Year Player Draft, ranked as one of the top pinch-hitters in the National League during the 2010 season.
The Jersey Village High School product was a two-sport star in football and baseball before attending the University of Houston.
Stavinoha later transferred to San Jacinto College, where he emerged as a standout catcher by blasting 49 homers over two seasons.
He went on to attend LSU.
The 6-foot-2, 240-pound Stavinoha distinguished himself as one of the few college baseball players to participate in both the JUCO World Series (twice) and the NCAA College World Series.
His deal includes a non-roster invitation to Spring Training.
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