Astros Weekly Hooks Update: Yulieski Gurriel Struggles

Pitching and Defense

Trent Thornton continues to be a key addition to the Corpus Christi rotation which has seen several key pieces promoted to the AAA club during the summer. After throwing a gem on Friday night (7 IP, 7 H, 1 ER, 6 K, 0 BB) the 6’0″ righty saw his AA ERA fall to 3.24 in four starts. He had one rough outing on August 8th, allowing five runs in six innings of work. In his other Double-A starts he’s allowed two runs over six innings and one run through six innings.

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Francis Martes has been the closest thing the Hooks have to an ace in the second half of the season. Over the first half of the season, the Astros #3 prospect had a 4.12 ERA with a 2.85 strikeout to walk ratio. Since the second half began, however, Martes has a 2.87 ERA with a 4.33 strikeout to walk ratio. Saturday night the 20-year-old Dominican native allowed two runs in six innings, striking out seven in a no-decision. Martes’ is now averaging 9.58 strikeouts per nine innings.

Ryan Thompson continues to be a force out of the bullpen for the Hooks, who worked four innings of scoreless relief this week. In 19 appearances, Thompson’s 1.060 WHIP trails only David Paulino among current Hooks pitchers. Paulino has not been with the team since June after a suspension and an injury to his pitching arm. Over the past several weeks Paulino has made three rehab starts with the Gulf Coast League. He is expected to rejoin the Hooks as early as this week.

Paulino has a 1.86 ERA and .930 WHIP through 58 innings this year. Those stats would lead one to believe that his stay in Corpus Christi will be brief, especially with the recent promotion of James Hoyt, Jandel Gustave, and Joeseph Musgrove to the major league roster in addition to the trade of Josh Fields to Los Angeles.

Next: Houston Astros’ Young Guns Picking Up Slack on Tough Season

Paulino got the start on Sunday night. It was one of his best starts of the season as he went six innings allowing one run (homer) on four hits. He walked zero and struck out six to get his fifth win of the season.

***Statistics from MiLB.com and Baseball Reference***