A 17th-round pick of the Astros in 1998, Porter was an outfielder of good bat skills but little power. He reached the majors in 2003 and hit .188 with the Astros in 2003. He was released after the season and claimed by the Cardinals, where he hit .314 in 23 games the following season. Those were his only two big league seasons. Overall, he hit .254 with one homer in 47 games.