Astros’ AA, AAA Talent Meet in Pre-season

The Houston Astros’ have developed a consistent World Series contenting team through the strength of their farm-team organization.   Those prospects met at the Dell Diamond as the AA Corpus Christi Hooks took-on the AAA Round Rock Express. 

The anticipated Opening Day roster for the Express is loaded with talent. The team is anticipated to begin with nine of the top 25 prospects in the Houston Astros organization, including four of the top 100 prospects in baseball, according to MLB.com. The top three prospects in the Astros organization are all slated to begin the year in Round Rock: #1 RHP Forrest Whitley, #2 OF Kyle Tucker and #3 OF Yordan Alvarez.  All but three of the 25 players on the Round Rock Express’ roster have made their professional careers within the Astros organization. 

Left fielder #Yordan Alvarez christened Dell Diamond with a home run that rocketed over the right field wall in his first at bat.   Alvarez’s homer ignited a two-run second inning for the Express.  Later, Derek Fisher of the Express scored on a wild pitch by Ronel Blanco to tie the game at 3-3 in the fourth inning.    Corpus Christi third baseman Abraham Toro drove in the game-winning run on a single.  Corpus Christi eventually won by a final score of 7-3 in the final exhibition game of the pre-season. 

Express pitcher Corbin Martin was awarded the loss, after allowing three runs on two hits in 1.1 innings of work.  Corpus Christi pitcher Brandon Bailey earned the win, holding the Express scoreless on just two hits in three innings.  Express starting pitcher Akeem Bostick allowed one run on three hits in three solid innings. Corpus Christi starter pitcher Brett Adcock allowed a two runs on two hits and walking six in three innings.