Astros’ Ethan Pecko Stands Poised For A Big Season
When asked for a player to highlight off his Double-A Corpus Christi roster, manager Ricky Rivera didn’t hesitate when suggesting righthander Ethan Pecko.
The 2023 sixth-round pick out of Towson returns to Double-A after pitching 26.2 innings for the Hooks last season. Pecko pitched at both Class A levels before reaching the Texas League.
All told, he pitched to a 3.47 ERA with 125 strikeouts and 37 walks in 96 innings. He allowed 10 home runs, half of them during his month at hitter-friendly High-A Asheville.
“He really came through, put himself on the map,” Rivera said. “He’s one of our top pitching prospects right now. He continues to improve.
“Obviously the stuff is pretty good. The velo continues to climb. The work ethic is there.”
The Astros picked Pecko as their organizational minor league pitcher of the year in 2024. He could push his way to the big leagues this year.
The 22-year-old can ride his fastball up to 96 mph but it usually sits 92-94. Pecko is still refining his slider and cutter.
“And he has a pretty good changeup and a curveball,” Rivera said.
Pecko still has plenty of work to do as he charts a course toward Houston, but he has put himself in a position to succeed. Now in his third year in the organization, he has impressed coaches and staff with his professionalism.
“It’s a good makeup and good work ethic,” Rivera says. “Good kid. Those are the kids who are super easy to root for.”
