HOUSTON, TX — Triple A Fresno manager Tony DeFrancesco will not return for the 2018 season, Astros General Manager Jeff Luhnow announced today. The Astros are supporting DeFrancesco’s efforts to seek new opportunities in baseball.
DeFrancesco spent the last seven seasons managing the Astros Triple A affiliate, beginning with four seasons with Oklahoma City (2011-14) and then the last three with Fresno (2015-17). In 2015, he was named Baseball America Minor League Manager of the Year after leading the Grizzlies to the Pacific Coast League championship and the Triple A National Championship. DeFrancesco also served as interim manager for the Astros Major League club for the final 41 games of the 2012 season.