Nezuh, Pecko flash elite potential in Astros' Spring Breakout
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Jackson Nezuh, who has one of the most effective fastballs in the Astros’ system, and the organization's 2024 Minor League Pitcher of the Year, Ethan Pecko, flashed elite stuff by striking out the side in consecutive innings in Friday’s 6-6 tie against the Nationals in
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Jackson Nezuh, who has one of the most effective fastballs in the Astros’ system, and the organization's 2024 Minor League Pitcher of the Year, Ethan Pecko, flashed elite stuff by striking out the side in consecutive innings in Friday’s 6-6 tie against the Nationals in the Spring Breakout game at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches.
Nezuh and Pecko, both right-handers, dazzled in relief after starter Miguel Ullola left the game with a shoulder injury in the second inning. Nezuh, a 14th-round selection in the 2023 Draft out of the University of Louisiana, struck out four batters in 1 2/3 innings, including striking out the side in the sixth inning.
“It was really cool,” Nezuh said. “I’m glad I got the opportunity to pitch here today. The stuff felt good and just blessed to be out here.”
He walked the first batter he faced before striking out four of the next five, and Pecko (Astros’ No. 10 prospect) came into the game in the seventh inning and whiffed all three batters he faced. Pecko finished with two scoreless innings, allowing one walk.
“Adrenaline was definitely going,” Pecko said. “It was my first time pitching in the big league stadium and an important game like the [Spring] Breakout game, so I felt good, my body felt good and my arm felt good. I was excited to go out there and throw strikes and compete again.”
📩 SUBSCRIBE TO THE BASEBALL TRAVELER NEWSLETTER
Nezuh, 23, split last year between High-A Asheville, Single-A Fayetteville, going 8-6 with a 3.89 ERA in 120 1/3 combined innings. He struck out 151 batters and walked 48 in 2024 and will be an arm to watch in 2025.
“I really want to continue to improve all my pitches -- better two-strike locations, increase the velo, just overall be a better pitcher,” Nezuh said.
Pecko, 22, went 4-6 with a 3.47 ERA in 26 appearances, including 15 starts between Single-A Fayetteville, High-A Asheville and Double-A Corpus Christi. He had 125 strikeouts, a 1.21 WHIP and a .219 opponents’ batting average, ranking second in strikeout-per-nine innings (11.72), fourth in strikeout-to-walk ratio (3.38), fifth in strikeouts and fifth in opponent batting average in the Astros’ system, according to FanGraphs.
“The sky’s the limit,” Pecko said. “I try not to worry about where I’m at or what level I’m playing at. This year I want to build off what I did last year, improve some pitch shapes and tighten up the command and compete again and enjoy it.”
Janek shows off his bat
Walker Janek, the catcher who was the Astros’ first-round pick in last year’s MLB Draft, went 2-for-3 with a pair of singles and a strikeout. Janek (Houston’s No. 4 prospect) slashed .175/.214/.503 with one homer in 87 at-bats in his professional debut last year and trained in Houston in the offseason.
“I feel like I’m in a good spot,” Janek said. “I’m seeing the ball well and swinging at good pitches and feel really good. I’m looking to feel good going into the season and hopefully have a good season.”
Smith splits time
Cam Smith, ranked as the No. 58 prospect overall by MLB Pipeline and No. 1 on the Astros, played three innings at third base to begin the game before moving to right field for the next three innings. The Astros are giving Smith (1-for-4) reps in right field as they debate whether to carry him on their Opening Day roster.
“It’s fun honestly, I tell everybody it’s like I’m playing fetch out there," Smith said. "It’s less intense than third base, the hot corner, obviously, but it’s a cool opportunity.”
Smith, who will start in right field Sunday against the Mets, swapped jerseys after the game with Nationals prospect Yoel Tejeda Jr. The pair were teammates at Florida State.
“We share this facility and it’s pretty cool,” he said.
Ullola leaves with injury
Ullola (No. 6 prospect) left the game in the second inning with what the team called right shoulder discomfort. Ullola, who was called for two pitch time violations early in the game, pitched a scoreless first before giving up a leadoff homer to Andrew Pinckney in the second inning.
Ullola allowed the next three Washington batters to reach before striking out Brenner Cox. In his at-bat against leadoff hitter Daylen Lile, Ullola appeared uncomfortable throwing a pitch and was pulled from the game after a visit from a team trainer.
Whitcomb Hits Walk-Off Homer To Propel Sugar Land to Seventh-Straight Win
Shay Whitcomb launched a two-run walk-off homer as the Sugar Land Space Cowboys (23-18) defeated the Reno Aces (21-20) 8-7 on Wednesday afternoon at Constellation Field. The Space Cowboys were down 6-1 in seventh, picking up their largest comeback win of the year, after overcoming a four-run deficit on Tuesday.
Whitcomb's Multi-Homer Game Spurs Sugar Land to Comeback Win
Shay Whitcomb’s two-homer night powered the Sugar Land Space Cowboys (22-18) to their sixth-consecutive win with a 6-4 victory over the Reno Aces (21-19) on Tuesday evening at Constellation Field. Tuesday was Sugar Land’s largest comeback win of the season after trailing by four runs after the top of the
Miguel Ullola Repeats as Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week
For a second consecutive week, Sugar Land Space Cowboys RHP Miguel Ullola has been named the Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week as announced by Minor League Baseball on Monday. In his start on Thursday in Salt Lake City, Ullola fired 5.0 shutout innings and faced two over the
Four Multi-Run Innings Send Sugar Land To Fifth-Straight Win
The Sugar Land Space Cowboys (21-18) scored at least one run in five innings, including four multi-run frames, while five batters recorded a multi-hit game as the Space Cowboys capped off their series with the Salt Lake Bees (15-23) with a 10-4 win on Sunday afternoon at The Ballpark at
Brice Matthews Hits for the Cycle as Sugar Land Secures Series Win
The Sugar Land Space Cowboys (20-18) erupted for 12 unanswered runs, including a five-run seventh to secure the series win over the Salt Lake Bees (15-21) 14-7 on Saturday evening at The Ballpark at America First Square. The Space Cowboys clobbered 17 hits on the night including five batters with
Gordon's Nine Strikeouts Drives Sugar Land To Third Consecutive Win
LHP Colton Gordon (W, 4-0) struck out nine over 6.0 innings of two-run ball while the offense plated four in the fourth, leading the Sugar Land Space Cowboys (19-18) to a third consecutive win over the Salt Lake Bees (15-21) 7-2 Friday night at The Ballpark at America First Square.
Ullola Fans 10 As Sugar Land Takes Pitcher's Duel Over Salt Lake
RHP Miguel Ullola’s (W, 2-2) 10 strikeouts in five scoreless innings and Quincy Hamilton’s two-run homer in the seventh lifted the Sugar Land Space Cowboys (18-18) to a 5-1 win over the Salt Lake Bees (15-20) Thursday night at The Ballpark at America First Square. Ullola began his outing by
Bastidas' Ninth Inning Home Run Propels Sugar Land To Comeback Win
The Sugar Land Space Cowboys (17-18) came back from an early 3-0 deficit to tie their largest comeback victory of the season, defeating the Salt Lake Bees (15-19) 7-6 on Wednesday night at The Ballpark at America First Square. Zack Short and Shay Whitcomb hit back-to-back jacks in the seventh
Hamilton and Corona Belt Three-Run Homers in Series-Opening Defeat
The Sugar Land Space Cowboys (16-18) blasted three home runs and posted a four-run ninth, but their comeback came up short against the Salt Lake Bees (15-18) 10-8 on Tuesday night at The Ballpark at America First Square. Shay Whitcomb thumped a first-inning home run, belting a fastball 444-feet to
Miguel Ullola Named Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week
Sugar Land Space Cowboys RHP Miguel Ullola has been named the Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week for April 29 through May 4 as announced by Minor League Baseball on Monday. Ullola started for Sugar Land on Thursday night against Round Rock at Constellation Field. The righty retired the
Sugar Land Splits Series With Round Rock After Dropping Sunday Finale
The Sugar Land Space Cowboys (16-17) split their series with the Round Rock Express (17-16) after being shutout 13-0 on Sunday afternoon at Constellation Field. RHP Aaron Brown (L, 0-5) allowed one run to come across in the first after the first two Round Rock batters reached base. Brice Matthews
Sugar Land Splits Doubleheader After Taking Game One
The Sugar Land Space Cowboys (16-16) took game one of the Saturday doubleheader 6-1, on the back of Colton Gordon’s gem and back-to-back home runs but dropped game two against the Round Rock Express (16-16) 8-2 on Saturday night at Constellation Field. GAME 1: LHP Colton Gordon’s (W, 3-0) five
Space Cowboys and Express Postponed
Friday night’s game between the Sugar Land Space Cowboys and Round Rock Express has been postponed due to continuing rain in Sugar Land. The game will be made up as part of a single-admission doubleheader on Saturday. Game one for Saturday’s doubleheader will now begin at 5:05 pm with gates
Shay Whitcomb Named Astros Upper-Level Minor League Player for April
INF Shay Whitcomb has been selected as the Houston Astros Upper-Level Minor League Player of the Month for April, the Houston Astros announced on Friday. In April, Whitcomb slashed .255/.349/.574/.923 in 25 games with 12 doubles, six home runs, 17 RBI, 13 runs scored,13 walks and a stolen base. He
Ullola's Five Scoreless Innings Leads Sugar Land To Shutout Victory
Behind 13 strikeouts from the pitching staff and a three-RBI night from Collin Price, the Sugar Land Space Cowboys (15-15) shutout the Round Rock Express (15-15) and picked up a 3-0 victory on Thursday night at Constellation Field. It was the fourth Sugar Land shutout in their first 30 games
Sugar Land Swipes Season-High Four Stolen Bases In Loss To Round Rock
The Sugar Land Space Cowboys (14-15) drew eight walks and stole a season-high four bases but left ten runners on base, leading to a 5-1 defeat against the Round Rock Express (15-14) on Wednesday afternoon at Constellation Field. After allowing a double with two outs in the first inning, RHP
Three-Homer Night Carries Sugar Land To Third-Straight Win
An early barrage from the Sugar Land Space Cowboys (14-14), including a four-run second inning, boosted them to a 6-4 series-opening win over the Round Rock Express (14-14) on Tuesday evening at Constellation Field. In a spot start, RHP Rhett Kouba allowed one run in the first inning but finished
Brandon Walter Named Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week
Sugar Land Space Cowboys left-handed pitcher Brandon Walter has been named the Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week for April 21 through 27 as announced by Minor League Baseball on Monday. During the week, Walter made two appearances for Sugar Land, one start and one in long relief, and
Space Cowboys Return Home With Packed Six-Game Series Against Round Rock
After a season-long two-week road trip, the defending Triple-A National Champion Sugar Land Space Cowboys return to Constellation Field for a six-game series against the Round Rock Express, Triple-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers, from April 29 through May 4. Tuesday, April 29 vs. Round Rock @ 6:05 PM $5
Sugar Land Pulls Away From Tacoma To Clinch Series In Sunday Finale
Runs in four consecutive innings, a four-hit game from César Salazar and three extra-base hits from Shay Whitcomb allowed the Sugar Land Space Cowboys (13-14) to deliver the knockout blow over the Tacoma Rainiers (11-16) with an 8-3 series-clinching win on Sunday afternoon at Cheney Stadium. For the third time
Colton Gordon's Career Night Carries Sugar Land To Shutout Victory
Behind a career-high seven scoreless innings from Colton Gordon (W, 2-0), the Sugar Land Space Cowboys (12-14) shutout the Tacoma Rainiers (11-15) picking up a 2-0 win on Saturday night at Cheney Stadium. Sugar Land twirled its third shutout in their first 26 games of the season. Gordon navigated the
Brice Matthews Homers In Close Friday Night Defeat
Brice Matthews drove in a run in the first and second innings, but the Tacoma Rainiers (11-14) kept the Sugar Land Space Cowboys (11-14) off the board the rest of the game as Sugar Land fell 3-2 on Friday night at Cheney Stadium. Matthews mashed a 406-foot solo blast in
Sugar Land Completes Comeback, Takes Extra-Innings Victory Over Tacoma
The Sugar Land Space Cowboys (11-13) battled back from a three-run deficit to defeat the Tacoma Rainiers (10-14) 7-6 in 10 innings on Thursday night at Cheney Stadium. In the tenth inning, Jésus Bastidas moved the bonus runner over to third on a groundout to begin the frame before Shay
Sugar Land Belts Three Home Runs But Falls On Wednesday Night
The Sugar Land Space Cowboys (10-13) smashed three home runs, tying a season high, but a six-run fourth from the Tacoma Rainiers (10-13) led to the Space Cowboys falling 10-3 on Wednesday evening at Cheney Stadium. Zack Short wasted no time getting Sugar Land on the board, scorching the first
Brandon Walter's Gem Leads Sugar Land to Series-Opening Win
Behind five-scoreless innings from RHP Brandon Walter (W, 1-0) and a four-run sixth, the Sugar Land Space Cowboys (10-12) took the series opener over the Tacoma Rainiers (9-13) 4-1 on Tuesday afternoon at Cheney Stadium. Walter silenced the Rainiers in the opening innings, setting down six of the first seven