Astros to call up No. 9 prospect Pecko for Major League debut (source)
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HOUSTON -- Ethan Pecko, the Astros’ No. 9-ranked prospect by MLB Pipeline, will be brought up from Triple-A Sugar Land to make his Major League debut in a start Wednesday against the Angels at Daikin Park, a source told MLB.com on Monday.
The Astros have not confirmed the news.
Pecko, a sixth-round pick out of Towson in the 2023 MLB Draft, went 4-6 with a 4.57 ERA in 20 games (18 starts) in the Minor Leagues this year, with all but three games coming at Triple-A. He was scheduled to pitch Sunday for the Space Cowboys, but he was scratched without explanation.
Pecko will be the 17th starting pitcher this season for the Astros, which is the most in the Major Leagues. Pecko will have to be added to the 40-man roster.
The Astros optioned Ronel Blanco to Triple-A prior to Sunday’s game after he posted a 7.71 ERA in 23 1/3 innings in five games (four starts) since returning from Tommy John surgery. Blanco allowed five runs on seven hits and one walk in four innings of relief in Saturday’s loss to the Mariners. The club also is ready for Tatsuya Imai to rejoin the rotation after two scoreless relief outings.
Enter Pecko, who was named the Astros’ Minor League Pitcher of the Year following his first full professional season in 2024. A strained forearm cost him the first two months of the ‘25 season, but he rallied to post a 3.09 ERA and 48 strikeouts in 35 Triple-A innings at the end of the year.
Pecko has added 3 mph to his fastball since turning pro, and it now operates at 93-95 mph and touches 98 with a flat approach angle and carry that help it miss bats. He bagged a sweeping slider in favor of a tighter low-80s version that can be a solid offering at times, and he also utilizes an upper-80s cutter. Pecko’s 79-82 mph curveball regressed last year, when he also had difficulty landing his fading upper-80s changeup for strikes.
Pecko creates deception with a low three-quarters arm slot and good extension in his delivery. His strength and agility help him repeat his mechanics and locate his pitches where he wants.