Astros Minor League Weekly Update (4/2-4/7)

Below is a weekly update around the Astros farm system.

AAA: SUGARLAND SPACE COWBOYS (4-2)

After starting the opening weekend on the road, the Space Cowboys returned home for their first full series and home opening series. Joey Loperfido (Astros #6 prospect) continued his power streak this weekend belting another 2 home runs, upping his league leading total to 5 on the young season.. Pedro Leon (Astros #27) and Shay Whitcomb also had  great home series at the plate, including a walk-off single by Whitcomb. Cooper Hummel made his Astros organizational debut as well.

Note: Loperfido leads the PCL with 5HRs

• Loperfido: 5-20, 2HR, 4 RBIs, 2 BBs, 11Ks
• Leon: 7-20, 2 2Bs, 6 RBIs, 2 BBs, 1 SB
• Whitcomb: 5-19, 2 2Bs, 4 RBIS, 2 BBs, 6Ks
• Hummel: 2-7, 1RBI, 2BB(1IBB)

JOEY LOPERFIDO. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

The numbers on his league-leading fifth HOME RUN of the season:
📏 408 FT
🔥 106.6 MPH pic.twitter.com/Rd3AbWcNDR

— Sugar Land Space Cowboys (@SLSpaceCowboys) April 7, 2024

Spencer Arrighetti pitched another solid start in his second game of the season, allowing 2 runs and striking out 5. Misael Tamarez had the best start for the Space Cowboys this week going 5 scoreless innings and striking out 5.  Justin Verlander had his first rehab start Sunday afternoon, but only lasted 3+ innings. Shawn Dubin and Forrest Whitley also made their return to the team

Note: The Space Cowboys staff struck out 66 and walked 28 batters this week, while surrendering 10 home runs

• Arrighetti: 4.0 IP, 5H, 2ER, 2 BBs, 5Ks
• Tamarez: 5.0 IP, 1H, 4 BBs, 5 Ks, 0 ER
• Suero: 2G, 1-0, 2.0 IP, 5Ks
• Verlander: 0-1, 3+ IP, 7H, 7R (6ER), 1BB, 6Ks

Misael had them stumped 🫣

5.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 5 SO pic.twitter.com/TDJUidOeB7

— Sugar Land Space Cowboys (@SLSpaceCowboys) April 6, 2024

AA: Corpus Christi Hooks (0-3)

The Hooks opened the year with a three game set against their cross state foes the Midland Rockhounds, dropping all three to fall to 0-3 to open the year. Collin Barber (Astros #20) and Miguel Palma (Astros #25) led the way offensively for the hooks in a rather lackluster all around offensive showing this weekend. MLB Top 100 prospect Jacob Melton struggled at the dish this weekend in all three games recording just 1 hit. Tommy Sacco Jr. belted the team’s first home run in the second game. The bats will look to bounce back this week.

Note: Hooks stole 7 bases and were only caught twice this weekend

• Barber: 4-12, 1R, 2 2Bs, 0BB(5Ks)
• Palma: 4-7, 1R, 1 RBI, 1BB
• Melton: 1-12, 3Ks, 1 HBP
• Saccor Jr.: 3-11, 1HR, 2 RBI, 2BBs(1Ks), 2SB

OUR FIRST HOME RUN OF 2024 BELONGS TO TOMMY SACCO JR. pic.twitter.com/YhF1WHf1JK

— Corpus Christi Hooks (@cchooks) April 6, 2024

Miguel Ullola took the ball for the first game of the series where he threw into the fourth inning allowing 3 runs on 2 hits. The Hooks could not help with any runs in this game, but AJ Blubaugh pitched 4 scoreless in his AA debut. Michael Knorr closed out the series with four scoreless innings in his AA debut for the organization. Delabio had one of the few clean innings out of the Hooks bullpen this series. Hooks will need to pitch better this week if they want to collect win #1. They head to Frisco this to take on the Roughnecks  and former Astro and Cy Young winner Dallas Keuchel.

Note: Jose Fleury (Astros #9 prospect) retired 11 of the first 13 batters he faced, striking out 5

• Delabio: 1G, 1.0 IP, 1BB, 3KS
• Knorr: 4.0 IP, 2H, 4Ks
• Ullola: 4.1 IP, 2H, 3R(3ER), 3BBs, 8Ks
• Blubaugh: 4.0 IP, 2H, 0BBs, 5Ks

Michael Knorr had a dominant debut for the Hooks today:

4 IP | 2 H | 0 R | 0 BB | 4 K@michaelkn0rr #Astros pic.twitter.com/rHrhd67PoK

— Astros Future (@AstrosFuture) April 8, 2024

A+: Asheville Tourists (2-1)

Moving out of Texas, and towards the east coast, Ashville opened the season with a 3 game home series against Winston-Salem. Astros #2 prospect, Luis Baez, started the season hot, belting two homers and six RBIs this weekend. Last year’s first round pick, Brice Matthews, also started the year hot collecting 3 hits and 3 RBIs while drawing two walks in his three games played. A great start offensively for a lineup boasting some of the more exciting hitting prospects in the organization.

Note: The Tourists slashed .288/.208/.490 this weekend, all best in their division

• Baez: 6-14, 1 2B, 2 HRs, 6 RBI, 1BB(4Ks)
• Matthews: 4-12, 2 2Bs, 3 RBI, 2BBs(4Ks), 1SB
• Ferreras: 3-8, 1HR, 4RBI, 1BB(2Ks)
• Whitaker: 3-9, 1 2B, 3 RBI, 1BB(4Ks)

Luis Baez went 3-for-5 with 3 R, 3B, HR, 2 RBI in win for @GoTourists. He has a 1.396 OPS through 3 games. #Astros

— Astros Future (@AstrosFuture) April 7, 2024

Trey Dombrowski (Astros #22) got the nod for the second game , surrendering 5 runs (2ER) both on solo shots, while striking out 5 and walking just 1. Edinson Batista picked up the win opening night in relief, throwing four innings only allowing 1 unearned run. Jeremy Molero also pitched a scoreless inning striking out two in relief. The Tourists head to Brooklyn this week for their next series and first full series of the year.

Note: The team has a 1.67 WHIP after the first three games of the season

• Dombrowski: 4.0 IP, 5H, 5R(2ER), 1BB, 5Ks
• Guedez: 1-0, 4.2 IP, 1H, 7Ks, 4BBs
• Molero: 1.0 IP, 2Ks, 1BB
• Batista: 1-0, 4.0 IP, 2H, 1R(0ER), 2BBs, 5Ks

Edinson Batista went 4 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 4 K in win for @GoTourists #Astros

— Astros Future (@AstrosFuture) April 6, 2024

A: Fayetteville Woodpeckers (2-1)

The last level of the Astros organization to begin their season, opened with a 2-1 series win against Myrtle Beach. Alejandro Nunez had a stellar debut Saturday Night recording a double and triple, and adding another hit Sunday. The offense as a whole scored 22 runs across the three games despite only one home run; coming off the bat of Oliver Carillo.

Note: The Woodpeckers have 8 batters hitting over .300 after the first series of the season

• Nunez: 4-8, 4H, 3R, 1 2B,, 1BB(3Ks)
• Santander: 3-6, 2R, 1RBI, 2Ks
• Encarnacion: 3-7, 1RBI, 1K
• Carillo: 3-6, 2R, 1HR, 2RBI

THE FIRST ONE OF THE SEASON IS A LONG ONE! MOON SHOT FROM OLIVER CARRILLO! ☄️ pic.twitter.com/GrDUHcxGlS

— Fayetteville Woodpeckers (@WoodpeckersNC) April 6, 2024

Ethan Pecko started game 1 and lasted only 2.1 innings allowing only two earned runs despite struggling with his command and walking 6, a common theme amongst starters this weekend. We saw Jackson Nezuh make his professional debut with team, where he fanned 7 batters across 4 innings pitched. The woodpeckers also got a stellar performance from Alex Santos this weekend where he struck out 8 without allowing a hit in his 4 innings of work. The Woodpeckers stay home this week to host the Charleston Riverdogs

Note: The Woodpeckers pitching staff collected 48 strikeouts in their 26 innings this weekend, good for 16.6 K/9

• Santos: 4.0 IP, 1H, 3BBs, 6Ks
• Nezuh: 4.0 IP, 2H, 1R(1ER), 2BB, 7Ks
• Langford: 1.2 IP, 0H, 2BB, 5Ks
• Pecko: 2.1 IP, 3H, 2R(2ER) 5BBs, 6Ks

Jackson Nezuh punched out 7 batters in 4.0 IP in his professional debut on Friday with @WoodpeckersNC. pic.twitter.com/eJyfvlyPZP

— Astros Player Development (@AstrosPlayerDev) April 6, 2024

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