Keuchel Becomes 25th 'Cat to Make MLB Debut

TROY, NY- Pitcher Dallas Keuchel has been promoted to the Houston Astros from Triple-A Oklahoma City and made his Major League debut Sunday afternoon, starting against the Texas Rangers in Arlington. Keuchel allowed just four singles over five-plus innings of work.

Keuchel, a member of the 2009 Tri-City ValleyCats, became the 25th former ValleyCat to reach the big leagues. He joins two other 2009 'Cats Jose Altuve and J.D. Martinez.

After being selected out of Arkansas in the seventh round of the 2009 draft, Keuchel joined the ValleyCats in July, and then made 10 starts for the team. In 56.2 innings, Keuchel gave up 52 hits and 17 earned runs, striking out 44 while only walking nine batters.

Keuchel began to make his rise up the Astros system, making it to Double A Corpus Christi the following year, and in 2011 was promoted to Triple A Oklahoma City. This season, Keuchel, a 24-year-old who throws in the low 90s, went 5-4 with a 4.26 ERA in 13 starts for Oklahoma City.

Keuchel replaced another former ValleyCat on the Astros roster, Bud Norris, who was being placed on the disabled list with a sprained knee.