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

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.