Observations From The Corpus Christi Hooks
On Thursday, May 13th, I was able to take a trip down to Corpus Christi to watch the Hooks play a double header against the Frisco RoughRiders.
The Hooks won both games winning game one 5-2 (BOX SCORE) and game two 6-0 (BOX SCORE). Here are some notable stat lines from the double header:
- Alex Bregman, 3B/SS: 3-for-8, 2 R, 2B, RBI
- Evan Gattis, C: 3-for-3, 2 R, HR, 3 RBI
- Teoscar Hernandez, OF: 3-for-8, 2 R, 2B
- Derek Fisher, OF: 1-for-6, R, HR, 3 RBI, BB
- JD Davis, 3B: 3-for-6, R, 2B
- Danry Vasquez, OF: 3-for-5, 2 R, 2B, HR, RBI, BB
- Chase McDonald, 1B: 1-for-5, 2B, 2 RBI, BB
- Keegan Yuhl, RHP: 5.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 K (WIN, G1)
- Brendan McCurry, RHP: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
- Evan Grills, LHP: 7.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K (WIN, G2)
Here are some observations of some of the prospects I got to see play on Thursday:
Alex Bregman, 3B/SS – Bregman, the Astros top prospect, made his first professional start at 3rd base in the first game of the double header. From my count, Bregman had four plays at third. All the balls were hit soft causing him to charge, field, and throw on the run and he did so with ease. For those concerned about his arm, he had plenty of arm to make these throws and made them look easy. Hands were good, throws were on the money.
At the plate it is easy to see why he was drafted so high. In his first at bat of the night he went down 0-2 early and then lined a single to LF. He was robbed of a hit in his second bat but a diving play from the Frisco center fielder. He finished the first game 2-for-4. In the second game he had good at bats fouling pitches off. Bregman had an RBI double to RCF that one hopped the wall. Can’t wait to see him in Houston.
Evan Gattis, C – Gattis got the start at catcher for the Hooks in the first game. He looked comfortable behind the plate and did a good job keeping everything in front of him. There were no passed balls and no one attempted to steal on him. Not much needs to be said for the hitting but he was smoking the ball. Just a few more games and he should be on his way back to Houston.
Derek Fisher, OF – He didn’t really get any chances in the field but did have seven plate appearances. Fisher has a very patient approach at the plate and is willing to take pitches and draw walks. He will work the count and usually swings at good pitches. He put a ride into a few balls in the first game but ended up 0-for-3 with a walk. In the second game he crushed a ball to deep left center field for a 2 run HR. It was measured at 404 feet. Also after drawing a walk he advanced easily on a Gattis single to RF. He has good speed and runs the bases well. Some swing and miss, though it has improved this season, but his power is legit.
Teoscar Herndandez, OF – Unfortunately I didn’t really get to see Teoscar in the field as he only had one ball hit his way in both games and it was a single. At the plate Teoscar looked good. It is easy to see the talent he possesses though. As I stated in my report on him a few days ago, he has done a way better job of cutting down on the strikeouts this season and he didn’t strike out at all on Thursday in 8 at bats. The second game he had three hits, all balls hit hard to left. He singled twice between the shortstop and third baseman and then doubled down the left field line. He did attempt to steal once and was thrown out.
JD Davis, 3B – Davis had a solid day at the plate totaling three hits in the double header. In the first game he singled in his first two at bats, and they were both hit hard. His only out in the first game was a strikeout, which came with two men on. n the second game he had a solid double down the left field line. He didn’t get many opportunities defensively but did start a nice 5-4-3 double play in the first inning of game two.
Danry Vasquez, LF – The left handed hitting Vasquez has had a pretty rough season but he looked good on Thursday. He was solid in the field and caught everything hit to him, including a sliding catch coming in on a sinking liner. In the first game Vasquez had a hard hit double down the right field line but was stranded at 2nd. In his second at bat, with men on 2nd and 3rd, he slapped an RBI single to left field. In the second game he hit a towering HR to left field that just cleared the wall, it was his first homerun of the season.
Chase McDonald, 1B – McDonald is huge. He is listed at 6’4″, 265 lbs and he looked all of it. Defensively he looked good at first and moved well for a big guy. He made a diving play on a ground ball hit to his left and was able to get up and touch the base by himself. In the first game he crushed a 2 run double to LCF and also drew a walk. He has a ton of power and will strikeout some too. In the second game he finished 0-for-3 with 2 strikeouts.
Keegan Yuhl, RHP – Yuhl pitched a solid game allowing just 2 ER. His fastball set between 91-93 MPH. He pitches with a bulldog attitude on the mound and wasn’t afraid to challenge guys. He looked to be struggling a bit with off-speed and threw his fastball a lot. Only got into trouble once when he allowed a single and a 2 run HR. Other than that, his innings were pretty clean.
Evan Grills, LHP – Grills pitched great in his AA debut. His fastball was in the 88-90 MPH range. For a guy making his AA debut he was focused and attacking hitters. He struggled to find his slider early but had a nice changeup working. He allowed a single to lead-off the game but the next guy grounded into a double play. That was the only hit he allowed all night. He did a good job of keeping guys off balance and there weren’t many hard hit balls. He finished with the 7 inning shutout with 5 K.
Corpus definitely has a talented team. If you haven’t been to Whataburger Field I would highly suggest it. Great place to watch a ballgame and very family friendly. Definitely the best minor league park I have been to.
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**Photo Credit: Tammy Tucker**
