Top Pitchers to Lead Hooks Staff
Published on March 30, 2007 under Texas League (TL1)
Corpus Christi Hooks News Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - Good pitching is a hallmark for any competitive team or organization in baseball, and if preseason projections by scouts and the so-called "experts" are anywhere near accurate, the 2007 Corpus Christi Hooks are well-stocked on the hill.
Southpaw Troy Patton and right-handers Jimmy Barthmaier and Felipe Paulino are among the top ten prospects in the Astros' organization according to Baseball America, and along with 22 other hopefuls will be in uniform for the Hooks this weekend for exhibition games against the Triple-A Round Rock Express at The Dell Diamond in Round Rock and at Whataburger Field.
Patton won a combined nine games and posted a 3.38 ERA last year with Salem and Corpus Christi, and finished the season with the Hooks, including a start in Game 4 of the TLCS against Wichita. Barthmaier and Paulino both spent 2006 at Salem, winning 11 and nine games respectively and helping the Avalanche finish with a team ERA of 3.38, best in the Carolina League.
"It's great that we're getting quality young arms - the fact that the Astros are sending us these top-caliber pitchers says something about the competition in our league and Houston's faith that their progress will be on track here in Corpus Christi," said Hooks vice president and former Major League hurler Ken Schrom. "Barthmaier and Patton both pitched a little in big-league camp this spring, and I think our fans in South Texas will really enjoy watching these guys develop."
Pitching has long been a key component to the success enjoyed by the Houston Astros and their minor league affiliates. Top pitchers in the game today like Roy Oswalt, Brad Lidge and Mets' closer Billy Wagner were all developed in the Astros' system. The Hooks, in only two years of existence, have produced the Texas League's Pitcher of the Year in back-to-back seasons, with Matt Albers winning the award last year and Jason Hirsh, now with the Colorado Rockies, capturing the honor in 2005.
In 2006, not only did the Astros finish above .500, but all eight of their minor league affiliates posted winning records - making Houston the only organization in baseball to achieve that rare feat. It's no surprise that the system's success is rooted in its emphasis on sound pitching.
Round Rock, the runner-up in the Pacific Coast League, posted the second best ERA (3.78) among the 16 teams on the circuit. The Hooks finished second in the Texas League with a team ERA of 3.92, while Salem was tops in the eight-team Carolina League. Lexington's 3.58 ERA was fifth among the 16 clubs that compete in the South Atlantic League, and Tri-City's stellar team ERA of 3.03 was third best out of the 14 teams in the New York-Penn League.
Patton will be one of about 16 players from last year's Texas League champions to participate in Sunday's ring ceremony before the Hooks host the Express in a 2:05 p.m. exhibition at Whataburger Field. That list includes players like outfielders Josh Anderson and Hunter Pence, both of whom will play for Round Rock in this weekend's games.
Patton is one of six returning Hooks who will suit up for Corpus Christi Saturday and Sunday. Joining Patton on that list are fellow pitchers Ronnie Martinez, Josh Miller and Josh Muecke, along with infielders Jonny Ash and Osvaldo Fernando.
Texas League Stories from March 30, 2007
- Top Pitchers to Lead Hooks Staff - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Drillers roster taking shape - Tulsa Drillers
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
