The Woodpeckers had a rough season overall in 2024, but still had some noteworthy performances. Let’s take a look.
2024 Record: 55-75, Carolina League South Division
The Woodpeckers got off to a hot start going 14-8 in 22 games in April, led by stellar pitching. May was a rough month as they went they went just 10-17 in 27 games. Things didn’t get much better in June as they went 10-16 in 26 games. The struggles continued in July as the Woodpeckers went 9-14 in 23 games. August was a tough month as they went just 9-16 in 25 games. They finished the season off going 4-3 during the month of September. The pitching was great most of the season but the offense had some struggles.
Here are the team leaders (min 150 AB or 40 IP):
TEAM LEADERS
Hits – Kenni Gomez (87)
2B – Kenni Gomez (23)
3B – Kenni Gomez (4)
HR – Nehomar Ochoa (10)
RBI – Will Bush (45)
BA – Kenni Gomez (.265)
SB – Cesar Hernandez (35)
OPS – Kenni Gomez (.753)
wRC+ – Kenni Gomez (121)
IP – Yeriel Santos (100.2)
W – Jackson Nezuh (7)
SV – Abel Mercedes (6)
SO – Jackson Nezuh (105)
ERA – Ethan Pecko (2.31)
NOTABLES
Kenni Gomez, OF
Gomez was an international signing for the Astros that has proven to be a nice get. The 19-year-old started the year in Single-A and finished the season in High-A. In 87 games for the Woodpeckers, he hit .265 with 23 doubles, 4 triples, 6 home runs and 13 stolen bases. He was promoted to Asheville where he hit .272 in 20 games and finished with a .737 OPS overall. After a solid first season, he has flown up the prospects rankings and could be due for a huge 2025 season.
Jackson Nezuh, RHP
Nezuh was the Astros 14th round pick in 2023 but he is looking like an absolute steal. The right-hander started the year off with a 8.05 ERA in April but then turned things around. His next 12 games in Single-A he posted a 3.22 ERA with 79 K in 58.2 innings. He was promoted to High-A where he had a 2.79 ERA in 9 outings. Overall he racked up 151 strikeouts over 120.1 innings with a 3.89 ERA. This included a 3.05 ERA over his final 21 outings.
Chase Jaworsky, SS
Jaworsky was the Astros 5th round pick in 2023 out of Rock Canyon HS in Colorado. He signed for $847,500 and showed why in 2024 why he was able to command a big bonus. The 19-year-old played the full-season in Single-A and was able to rack up 20 doubles, 4 home runs and 28 stolen bases in 78 games. He also handled the bat well, striking out just 68 times. Jaworsky missed time late due to an injury but showed off some good talent in 2024.
Ethan Pecko, RHP
Pecko, the Astros 6th round pick in 2023, was named the Astros minor league pitcher of the year. The right-hander, who just turned 22-years-old, posted a 2.31 ERA with 63 K in 46.2 innings before earning a promotion to High-A. After striking out 34 in 22.2 innings in High-A, he was promoted to Double-A where he had a 2.36 ERA. Overall, he finished with 125 strikeouts in 96 innings across three levels.
Nehomar Ochoa, OF
Ochoa was another high schooler selected by the Astros in 2023 and signed to a solid bonus of $300,000. Ochoa showed off some big time potential this season. The 19-year-old led the lead in home runs connecting on 10 in 103 games. He also stole 17 baes and overall posted a .676 OPS. He played the majority of the season at 18-year-old and will have a chance to really feast next year in Asheville.
Yeriel Santos, RHP
After a year in the DSL and a year in the rookie league, Santos made his full-season debut in 2024 and pitched really well. He spent the entire season in Fayetteville and posted a 4.11 ERA while racking up 104 strikeouts in 100.2 innings. While he walked a few too many, he held hitters to just a .204 batting average against.
Alejandro Nunez, INF
Nunez was signed out of Cuba as an undrafted free agent, and after a good couple of seasons in rookie ball, he made his full-season debut and was solid. In 92 games in Single-A, the 20-year-old hit .256 with 17 doubles, 4 home runs, 18 stolen bases and a .708 OPS. He finished off the year in High-A and figures to be part of the Asheville team in 2025.
Alain Pena, RHP
Pena was another full-season debut guy who had really good first full year. The Mexican native posted a 3.42 ERA with 83 strikeouts in 79 innings before earning a promotion to High-A where he finished off the year with 22 K over his final 17.2 innings. Overall he had 35 BB/105 K in 96.2 innings between Single-A and High-A.
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