Justin Richard Towles was a 20th round draft pick by the Astros in 2004. He rose quickly through the minors and was a September call-up in 2007 where he set the then-franchise record for RBIs in a game with eight. However, the Crosby, TX, native had a harder time duplicating his success, struggling at the plate the next four seasons in call-ups before being granted free agency after the 2011 campaign.

Although the catcher tried out with four other franchises, he never again returned to the majors. Over parts of five seasons, Towles batted .187 with 11 homers and 50 RBIs in 155 games.