Former Houston Astros prospect retires from baseball

Justin Dirden, who joined the Houston Astros organization in 2020 and the Milwaukee Brewers organization this season, has retired.

The Brewers’ Double-A affiliate, the Biloxi Shuckers, announced the transaction Monday.

Dirden, a 26-year-old left-handed hitter, slashed .177/.239/.241/.480 with four RBIs in 24 games with the Shuckers, who play in the Southern League.

The Brewers signed Dirden on April 16 after the Astros released him from their Triple-A affiliate in Sugar Land.

The O’Fallon, Missouri native went undrafted in 2020, with MLB only holding a five-round draft that year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Dirden signed with Houston in Southeast Missouri.

They assigned him to Class-A Fayetteville to start the 2021 season and he eventually earned a promotion to High-A Tourist Asheville. Overall, he slashed .274/.397/.537 with 15 homers and 58 RBIs in 83 games.

That earned him a promotion to Double-A Corpus Christi to start the 2022 season, and his play eventually landed him in Sugar Land in August. With the Hooks and Space Cowboys, he slashed .302/.384/.558 with 40 doubles, 24 home runs, 101 RBIs and 12 stolen bases. His 40 doubles are tied for the top in minor league baseball with Chicago Cubs prospect Matt Mervis.

Dirden looked ready to take a chance on the Majors in 2023, but a hamstring injury cost him time and his batting average dropped to .231, as did his power numbers (10 homers, 42 RBIs). .

After attending spring training with the Astros, he was released and signed with the Brewers.