In the summer of 2023, Astros General Manager Dana Brown had his first major opportunity to shape the farm system through the amateur draft. While he selected Brice Matthews in the first round, and he has played well, it was a pick a few rounds later that has truly caught attention within the Astros organization.
The Astros’ 6th-round pick that year was right-handed pitcher Ethan Pecko, who had just 59.2 innings of college experience at the time of the draft. Despite the limited workload, the Astros saw significant potential in the 20-year-old pitcher.
“As somebody who didn’t have a ton of college innings, I’d say the biggest difference was adjusting to the volume and amount of throws per week and throughout a full season,” Pecko said. “I’d also say the process you go through week to week is much different when in college ball your sole focus is strikes and doing everything you can to win where pro ball it was all about stuff and how you can prepare your stuff throughout the week ti improve your stuff in games.”
Rising Through the Ranks
2024 was Pecko’s first full season as a professional. He started the year off in Single-A posting a 2.31 ERA with 63 strikeouts over 46.2 innings earning him a quick promotion to Asheville.
“Obviously I struggled in April a little but but I knew I was doing the right things to perform well,” Pecko said. “I used May as a fresh month and kind of just went out there and competed and began to pitch with a lot of confidence. That confidence took me a long way and showed me that no matter the level, it’s just baseball at the end of the day and I’m good enough to compete at the highest levels.”
Upon reaching Asheville, Pecko faced some challenges, though the hitter-friendly environment didn’t help. In 22.2 innings, he posted a 7.15 ERA, but still managed to rack up 34 strikeouts. After a brief run in High-A, he earned another promotion to Double-A, further solidifying the organization’s confidence in his abilities.
“I was a little surprised about my promotion to Double-A considering my stats in Asheville weren’t great,” Pecko said. “I knew I was pitching weak but the stats weren’t quite reflecting it. Once I got promoted to Double-A I gained even more confidence in myself and my stuff.”
Finding His Groove in Double-A
Pecko really began to shine after his promotion to Double-A. While success at lower levels is important, Double-A is often considered the true test of a player’s abilities. In 7 appearances for the Hooks, Pecko posted a 2.36 ERA and struck out 28 batters over 26.2 innings. He ended the season with a 3.47 ERA and 125 strikeouts in 97 innings. His first full season, though, was full of adjustments, as he navigated new challenges at each level.
“I made several adjustments throughout the season, both physically and mentally,” Pecko said. “I tweaked some pitch grips early on in the year with both the sweeper and changeup. I also moved to the other side of the rubber which helped create some favorable angles and deception with my pitches.”
But that was just the start of the adjustments.
“Later in the year, I also changed my cutter grip which helped improve the shape of the pitch,” Pecko said. “Mentally, just thinking less and not worrying so much and just pitching and competing with confidence helped me a ton as well. When I got to Double-A, my pitch shapes, mental approach and mechanics were all synced up and super consistent which helped me perform as well as I did.”
Putting together a season like this at 21-years-old, especially given the lack of college innings, was impressive and helped him fly up the rankings. He also named the Astros Minor League Pitcher of the Year for 2024. The previous two winners? Hunter Brown and Spencer Arrighetti. The year following this recognition, both Brown and Arrighetti debuted.
“It [minor league pitcher of the year] meant a lot to both me and my family. Being someone that not many people knew about and coming from a small school to winning this award a year later, it was an absolute honor and really just a special moment for both myself and my family,” Pecko said. “There are so many talented pitchers in this org and there were several other pitchers deserving of this ward, for them to pick me and recognize me, it was truly an honor I’ll never forget.”
Preparing for 2025
Following the stellar 2024, which also saw him reach a career high in innings pitched, Pecko knew he had to treat this off-season differently.
“I think managing your first offseason can be a little tough. This offseason I actually spent the month of November down at the facility chasing some veto and participating in an overload/underload throwing program,” Pecko said. “I also think I’ve done a better job understanding my body this offseason and getting better by eating better and moving better.”
If Pecko continues his upward trajectory in 2025, he could be in the mix for a spot on the big league roster. Mentally preparing and setting clear expectations for the year will be crucial for his success.
“I just want to build off the success of last year and continue improving my stuff, my locations and the consistency of both of those,” Pecko said. “I know I’ve put myself in a good spot to where I could be a guy that could touch the major leagues in 2025 but there’s a lot that goes into the move a front office m makes. I just want to focus on the things I can control and just continue working and improving and becoming the best pitcher I can be.”
With the uncertainties surrounding the Astros’ pitching staff and the injury concerns, if Pecko maintains the form he showed in 2024, he should get a legitimate shot at making his big league debut. If he keeps progressing, he could follow in the footsteps of the other top pitching prospects who have come through the Astros’ system.
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