Astros Lose MiLB Player to Retirement Amid MLB Offseason

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Gavin Groe | Last updated Feb 9, 2026 2:24 PM ET

The Houston Astros are looking to capitalize on the remaining strength of their current core. While Houston features plenty of young talent, the group that defined the last era of Astros baseball is beginning to thin out, with several players departing in free agency and franchise legends aging, including second baseman Jose Altuve.

Even so, the Astros must continue moving forward, and 2026 will be a pivotal year for the organization as it responds to last season’s disappointing finish, when their long postseason streak came to an end.

Houston still has a solid foundation in place, and there is optimism for a quick rebound, especially if designated hitter Yordan Alvarez is able to stay fully healthy.

Houston Astros manager Joe Espada (19) © Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

One potential depth option, however, will not be part of the organization in 2026. Wes Clarke, one of the Astros’ most productive players at the Double-A level last season, has decided to retire.

His retirement was first noted through the MiLB transaction logs last Friday, bringing an unexpected close to a career that showed flashes of promise.

Clarke spent five total seasons in the minor leagues after being selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 2021 MLB Draft. He spent most of his professional career in Milwaukee’s system before being traded to Houston for cash considerations in June of last year.

Wes Clarke is retiring from professional baseball. The first baseman spent his career in both the Milwaukee Brewers and Houston Astros organizations and played five years in the minors. Clarke had a good career with 84 home runs and 282 RBI throughout his time in the minors. pic.twitter.com/7vEDnobIVX
— Milb Central (@milb_central) February 9, 2026

With first base currently anchored by Christian Walker, Clarke still appeared to have a potential path to the majors given his offensive profile and Houston’s need for long-term depth.

He quickly became one of the more intriguing bats in the Astros’ system, showing the type of plate discipline and power that often earns opportunities at the next level.

In 2025, he posted a .228 batting average, .399 on-base percentage, .846 OPS, 12 home runs and 32 RBIs across 63 games in Double-A, numbers that highlighted his ability to control the strike zone and drive the ball with authority.

Clarke’s retirement removes a potential option from Houston’s upper-level pipeline at a time when the organization is trying to balance competing timelines.

For a club attempting to squeeze another postseason run out of its veteran core while developing the next wave of talent, losing a productive minor league hitter adds another wrinkle to an already complicated roster picture.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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