Here's why Astros rookie phenom's arrival just became imminent
COMING SOON
23 May 2023
COMING SOON
Astros prospect Drew Gilbert is performing well for the Corpus Christi Hooks and Astros GM Dana Brown believes that if Gilbert continues to improve, he has an opportunity to be in the big leagues soon.
“When you take a college player from the SEC, that’s where most of the Major League players come from in the college ranks,” said Brown. “If he’s on top of his game, he’s got a chance to be in the big leagues quick.”
That doesn't necessarily mean he's ready to play for the Astros, but reaching Triple-A this season doesn't feel like a stretch.
But what about the big league roster? Is there any chance Gilbert could be a September callup for the club?
ESPN Houston's Joel Blank doesn't think it's out of the question, especially with Michael Brantley's recent setback and the team's reluctance to pick one center fielder to start every day.
Plus, the guys discuss how an injury or a trade for starting pitching could create a path for Gilbert to play with the big league club sooner rather than later.
Watch the video above to see the full conversation!
Listen to The Killer B's with Joel Blank and Jeremy Branham weekdays from Noon-3 PM on ESPN 97.5 and 92.5 FM.
José Soriano and two relievers combined for a two-hitter and Oswald Peraza hit his first home run since a trade from the Yankees to lead the Los Angeles Angels to a 3-0 win over the Houston Astros on Sunday.
Soriano (10-9) allowed one hit and struck out eight in seven innings. Luis García allowed one hit in a scoreless eighth and Kenley Jansen threw a perfect ninth for his 25th save.
There were two outs in the fifth when Peraza connected off Hunter Brown (10-7) into the bullpen in right-center field to put the Angels up 1-0. His homer comes after his two-run single in the ninth inning Saturday helped Los Angeles to a 4-1 victory that snapped a three-game skid.
Yoan Moncada walked to start the eighth and scored on Mike Trout’s double that bounced off the wall in center field to make it 2-0. Taylor Ward walked before Luis Rengifo reached and Trout scored on an error by Lance McCullers Jr. when the pitcher overthrew first base.
Yordan Alvarez singled with no outs in the first and Soriano walked a batter in the second and sixth innings. The Astros didn’t get another hit until Ramón Urías doubled with one out in the eighth inning. Los Angeles outfielder Taylor Ward was injured trying to make a catch on that hit when he crashed face-first into the metal scoreboard in left field.
He was carted off the field holding a towel to the right side of his face. He was taken to a hospital by ambulance where interim manager Ray Montgomery said he would receive stitches to close the cut and be evaluated.
Brown allowed three hits and a run with five strikeouts in six innings. McCullers Jr. allowed three hits and two runs in his first relief appearance since 2018.
The home run by Peraza.
It’s the fifth time the Astros have been shut out this month.
LHP Yusei Kikuchi (6-9, 3.68 ERA) will start for Los Angeles in the series finale Monday against RHP Luis Garcia, who’ll make his return after sitting out since May 2023 recovering from Tommy John surgery.