Astros Release Initial 2018 Hooks Roster

CORPUS CHRISTI - The Hooks' preliminary roster in 2018 is highlighted by 16 players who have previously played in a Corpus Christi uniform. The group includes 11 pitchers and five position players who spent time at Double-A last season.

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The returning arms are headlined by 2017 Texas League Midseason All-Star RHP Josh James, LHP Framber Valdez, RHP Riley Ferrell, and LHP Cionel Pérez, who is ranked as Houston's third-best pitching prospect, according to MLB.com.
James, 25, posted a 2.94 ERA with the Hooks prior to last season's All-Star break. Valdez and Ferrell both earned non-roster invites to Major League Spring Training and are ranked among Houston's top-20 prospects, according to MLB.com.
Other familiar names include RHP Brock Dykxhoorn, RHP Akeem Bostick, RHP Yoanys Quiala, LHP Alex Winkelman, RHP Ralph Garza, RHP Kevin Hill, and LHP Sean Stutzman.
Quiala, 24, ranked second among Astros minor league pitchers with a 2.57 ERA in 2017. Dykxhoorn led the Hooks in innings pitched (99 1/3 IP) and strikeouts (84) last season.
Winkelman, a southpaw from Crystal City, Mo., twirled the longest no-hit bid in Hooks history last season when he tossed 8 2/3 no-hit frames on July 19 against Frisco.
LHP Ryan Hartman and RHP Erasmo Pinales round out the staff as newcomers to the Texas League.
OF Yordan Alvarez, who MLB.com lists as the No. 4 Astros prospect, leads a collection of hitters that include some new and familiar names. The Cuban native ranked fourth among Houston's hitting prospects in batting average (.304) last season and earned Midwest League Midseason All-Star honors with Quad Cities.
C Jamie Ritchie, IF Ryne Birk, OF Myles Straw, IF Nick Tanielu, and IF Arturo Michelena all return for second seasons in Corpus Christi.
Ritchie, 24, earned a non-roster invite to Major League Spring Training and hit the first cycle in Hooks history last season on August 6 at Frisco. Birk, a Texas A&M product, played in 37 games with Corpus Christi last year while belting 7 home runs and 24 RBIs.
Straw, 23, put together a sensational campaign in 2017. The Carolina League Midseason and Postseason All-Star ranked first among Astros farmhands in stolen bases (38) while slotting second in runs scored (90), hits (140), walks (94), and on-base percentage (.405).
OF Carmen Benedetti, IF Alex De Goti, OF Stephen Wrenn, C Lorenzo Quintana, IF Randy César, and 1B Taylor Jones are slated to make their Double-A debuts in 2018.
First-year Hooks skipper Omar Lopez comes to the "Ballpark by the Bay" with a brand new coaching staff. Bill Murphy serves as pitching coach, Troy Snitker as hitting coach, and Mycal Jones will be the development coach. John Gregorich serves as athletic trainer and Rachel Balkovec as strength and conditioning coach.
The Hooks begin the 2018 season on April 5 at Northwest Arkansas (Royals). The home opener at Whataburger Field is April 12 against the Naturals with first pitch at 7:05 p.m. 
For more information on tickets and promotions, call 361-561-HOOK (4665) or visit cchooks.com.