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Astros prospect report: Enmanuel Valdez’s Triple-A debut

By Kenny Van Doren |
Mandatory Credit: The Corpus Christi Caller Times
Mandatory Credit: The Corpus Christi Caller Times
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Although unranked in the top 30 by MLB Pipeline, Enmanuel Valdez’s promotion is notable for the Astros’ future.

It was a long time coming. Leading all of Minor League Baseball in OPS two months into the season offers an excellent case for promotion, and for Houston Astros‘ prospect Enmanuel Valdez, moving to Triple A didn’t come with any challenges.

The Texas League Player of the Month for May slashed .357/.463/.649 with 11 home runs for Corpus Christi. And in his first two trips to the plate against Oklahoma City, the lefty blasted two solo homers, while picking up a single along the way.

Leading the Texas League in batting average and being top five in home runs and RBI, Valdez continued his offensive prowess in his first game in the Pacific Coast League. Even without the elevation effect on the road, the lefty still pieced together two home runs against a pitcher with Major League experience in Michael Grove.

Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports /

Hunter Brown and Chayce McDermott combine for 19 strikeouts for a strong pitching day in the Astros’ system.

Brown took the mound for Triple-A Sugar Land on Tuesday, punching out nine batters over five innings. The right-hander moved to 69 punch outs on the season which is good for first in the Pacific Coast League.

Ranking third in ERA (2.39 ERA) in the PCL, Brown continues to force himself onto the Astros’ 40-man roster. Through his last three starts, the righty has worked15.2 innings, striking out 23 batters in the process.

For McDermott, the 2021 fourth-round pick fanned 10 batters Tuesday over six innings. The righty now ranks third in the South Atlantic League in strikeouts with 70, as his High-A Asheville teammate Spencer Arrighetti ranks fourth with 63.

Mandatory Credit: Asheville Citizen-Times
Mandatory Credit: Asheville Citizen-Times /

Jordan Brewer and Will Wagner were promoted to Double-A Corpus Christi.

The Corpus Christi Hooks welcomed Jordan Brewer and Will Wagner from High-A Asheville on Tuesday, while Brewer made his Double-A debut as the designated hitter. The 2019 third-round pick hadn’t played since May 13 prior to his promotion but was slashing to an .892 OPS with the Tourists.

Brewer is similar to Chas McCormick and Jake Meyers as a left-handed throwing outfielder that hits right-hander, and in his debut, the 24-year-old singled and stole a base. Wagner, son of Billy, didn’t play Tuesday, but the infielder left Asheville with a .392 on-base percentage.

Next. Astros lose second lefty reliever to the injured list. dark

Regarding other hot prospects in the system, Colin Barber, the South Atlantic Player of the Week, slashed .524/.583/1.286 with five home runs, a double, nine RBI, eight runs, three walks and one strikeout over six games. Coming off shoulder surgery, the outfielder has pieced together a .991 OPS this season in High-A.

Double-A outfielder Wilyer Abreu is off to a hot start in June as well. Through 24 at-bats this month, the lefty is slashing .292/.452/.500 with three extra-base hits and seven walks to five strikeouts.

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