Houston Astros Pitching Prospect Produces Disastrous Start

Ethan Pecko, the Houston Astros' sixth-round pick, made his Class-A debut and it did not go well.

The Houston Astros sent their sixth-round pick, pitcher Ethan Pecko, to Class-A Fayetteville to make his first start at that level on Thursday night against Lynchburg.

It was not the start that Pecko or the Astros were hoping for.

The Towson product faced eight hitters. He retired one hitter, gave up three hits, two walks and allowed seven earned runs before he was removed from the game. He took the loss and he ended up with an ERA of 189.00 at the Class-A level.

The game unfolded like a bad dream in Pecko’s home debut. He gave up a leadoff double to Alex Mooney, followed by a walk allowed to Angel Genao. Then, C.J. Kayfus reached on a fielder’s choice grounder to Pecko, which scored Mooney.

After Maick Collado singled to score Genao, Pecko retired his only hitter on Angel Zarate’s groundout.

Robert Lopez then reached on a fielder’s choice, which scored Kayfus, followed by Juan Benjamin’s RBI single. After Pecko walked Luis Durango, he was relieved by Jose Nadal with Lynchburg up, 4-0.

A bases-loaded double by Lexer Saduy, all with runners Pecko allowed on base, wrapped up his decision.

Pecko earned the promotion after two promising outings with the Astros’ Florida Complex League rookie team. He threw three innings, giving up four hits, one earned run and walking none. He struck out three.

Pecko was Towson’s Saturday starter last season once he returned from an injury. He went 2-2 with a 3.21 ERA with 48 strikeouts in 42 innings and 11 starts.

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