Nezuh, Pecko flash elite potential in Astros' Spring Breakout

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Jackson Nezuh, who has one of the most effective fastballs in the Astros¡¯ system, and the organization's 2024 Minor League Pitcher of the Year, Ethan Pecko, flashed elite stuff by striking out the side in consecutive innings in Friday¡¯s 6-6 tie against the Nationals in the Spring Breakout game at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches.

Nezuh and Pecko, both right-handers, dazzled in relief after starter Miguel Ullola left the game with a shoulder injury in the second inning. Nezuh, a 14th-round selection in the 2023 Draft out of the University of Louisiana, struck out four batters in 1 2/3 innings, including striking out the side in the sixth inning.

¡°It was really cool,¡± Nezuh said. ¡°I¡¯m glad I got the opportunity to pitch here today. The stuff felt good and just blessed to be out here.¡±

He walked the first batter he faced before striking out four of the next five, and Pecko (Astros¡¯ No. 10 prospect) came into the game in the seventh inning and whiffed all three batters he faced. Pecko finished with two scoreless innings, allowing one walk.

¡°Adrenaline was definitely going,¡± Pecko said. ¡°It was my first time pitching in the big league stadium and an important game like the [Spring] Breakout game, so I felt good, my body felt good and my arm felt good. I was excited to go out there and throw strikes and compete again.¡±

Nezuh, 23, split last year between High-A Asheville, Single-A Fayetteville, going 8-6 with a 3.89 ERA in 120 1/3 combined innings. He struck out 151 batters and walked 48 in 2024 and will be an arm to watch in 2025.

¡°I really want to continue to improve all my pitches -- better two-strike locations, increase the velo, just overall be a better pitcher,¡± Nezuh said.

Pecko, 22, went 4-6 with a 3.47 ERA in 26 appearances, including 15 starts between Single-A Fayetteville, High-A Asheville and Double-A Corpus Christi. He had 125 strikeouts, a 1.21 WHIP and a .219 opponents¡¯ batting average, ranking second in strikeout-per-nine innings (11.72), fourth in strikeout-to-walk ratio (3.38), fifth in strikeouts and fifth in opponent batting average in the Astros¡¯ system, according to FanGraphs.

¡°The sky¡¯s the limit,¡± Pecko said. ¡°I try not to worry about where I¡¯m at or what level I¡¯m playing at. This year I want to build off what I did last year, improve some pitch shapes and tighten up the command and compete again and enjoy it.¡±

Janek shows off his bat

Walker Janek, the catcher who was the Astros¡¯ first-round pick in last year¡¯s MLB Draft, went 2-for-3 with a pair of singles and a strikeout. Janek (Houston¡¯s No. 4 prospect) slashed .175/.214/.503 with one homer in 87 at-bats in his professional debut last year and trained in Houston in the offseason.

¡°I feel like I¡¯m in a good spot,¡± Janek said. ¡°I¡¯m seeing the ball well and swinging at good pitches and feel really good. I¡¯m looking to feel good going into the season and hopefully have a good season.¡±

Smith splits time

Cam Smith, ranked as the No. 58 prospect overall by MLB Pipeline and No. 1 on the Astros, played three innings at third base to begin the game before moving to right field for the next three innings. The Astros are giving Smith (1-for-4) reps in right field as they debate whether to carry him on their Opening Day roster.

¡°It¡¯s fun honestly, I tell everybody it¡¯s like I¡¯m playing fetch out there," Smith said. "It¡¯s less intense than third base, the hot corner, obviously, but it¡¯s a cool opportunity.¡±

Smith, who will start in right field Sunday against the Mets, swapped jerseys after the game with Nationals prospect Yoel Tejeda Jr. The pair were teammates at Florida State.

¡°We share this facility and it¡¯s pretty cool,¡± he said.

Ullola leaves with injury

Ullola (No. 6 prospect) left the game in the second inning with what the team called right shoulder discomfort. Ullola, who was called for two pitch time violations early in the game, pitched a scoreless first before giving up a leadoff homer to Andrew Pinckney in the second inning.

Ullola allowed the next three Washington batters to reach before striking out Brenner Cox. In his at-bat against leadoff hitter Daylen Lile, Ullola appeared uncomfortable throwing a pitch and was pulled from the game after a visit from a team trainer.