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
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.”
📩 SUBSCRIBE TO THE BASEBALL TRAVELER NEWSLETTER
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.
GOING TO BAT FOR SMALL BUSINESS PRESENTED BY PNC RETURNS FOR 2025 LAKE COUNTY CAPTAINS SEASON
EASTLAKE, Ohio – March 10, 2025 – The Lake County Captains announced that its “Going to Bat for Small Business” program will return for a second season, in collaboration with PNC Bank. The initiative is designed to bolster small businesses across Northeast Ohio. Going to Bat for Small Business presented
2024 MIDWEST LEAGUE CHAMPION LAKE COUNTY CAPTAINS UNVEIL ACTION-PACKED 2025 PROMOTIONAL SCHEDULE
Highlights include 1995 Tribe Anniversary, Travis Bazzana Bobblehead, State Fair Weekend, Bubblefest & More. TICKETS ON SALE NOW EASTLAKE, OHIO – February 19th, 2025 – The Lake County Captains are excited to unveil an electrifying promotional schedule for the 2025 season, packed with can’t-miss theme nights, historic celebrations, and unforgettable
Lake County Captains Introduce New Bat Dog: Mokoro!
EASTLAKE, Ohio – The Lake County Captains are thrilled to announce Mokoro as their new bat dog for the 2025 season! Mokoro will be bringing joy to fans as she retrieves bats and balls during Thursday home games at Classic Auto Group Park alongside Victoria Brody, her owner and professional
Lake County Captains Announce 2025 Dog Days Schedule
EASTLAKE, Ohio – The Lake County Captains are excited to announce the return of their popular "Dawg Days" at Classic Auto Group Park for the 2025 season! Fans are encouraged to bring their furry friends along to enjoy the action-packed baseball season, with special opportunities to share the fun with
Lake County Captains Announce 2025 Coaching Staff
EASTLAKE, Ohio – In conjunction with the Cleveland Guardians, the Lake County Captains today announced their coaching staff for the 2025 season. Lake County’s staff will once again be led by Manager Omir Santos, who returns as the Captains’ skipper for his third season. Ordomar Valdez returns as Lake County’s
Lake County Captains Named 2024 Baseball America MiLB Team of the Year
EASTLAKE, OH – Baseball America announced today that the Lake County Captains, the High-A Affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians, have been named their 2024 MiLB Team of the Year. The Captains finished the regular season with a record of 77-53 (.592), compiling the highest percentage in the Midwest League and
Two Captains Named to 2024 All-MiLB Prospect Second Team
EASTLAKE, OH – On Monday, September 30, Minor League Baseball announced its 2024 All-MiLB Prospect Teams during the 2024 MiLB Awards Show on MLB Network. Two Lake County Captains garnered Second Team honors for the 2024 campaign. SS Angel Genao, MLB Pipeline’s No. 4 Cleveland and No. 72 overall prospect,
LAKE COUNTY CAPTAINS’ JEN YORKO MAKES HISTORY AS THE FIRST FEMALE GENERAL MANAGER TO WIN A CHAMPIONSHIP IN MIDWEST LEAGUE HISTORY
Eastlake, OH – The Lake County Captains, the High-A Affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians, are proud to announce that General Manager Jen Yorko has made history as the first female General Manager to win a Midwest League Championship. Yorko, who has been with the organization since 2007, led the Captains
Four Captains Named 2024 Midwest League All-Stars, Cooper Ingle Named Most Valuable Player
EASTLAKE, OH – On Thursday, September 19, Minor League Baseball announced its High-A All-Star Teams for the 2024 season. Four Lake County Captains were named Midwest League All-Stars for the 2024 campaign. C Cooper Ingle, MLB Pipeline’s No. 13 Cleveland prospect, SS Angel Genao, MLB Pipeline’s No. 5 Cleveland and
Captains Win Second Midwest League Title With 9-4 Victory Over Timber Rattlers
EASTLAKE, OH – The Lake County Captains (77-53) (4-1) won their second Midwest League title in franchise history with a 9-4 win over the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (77-54) (3-2) on Wednesday at Classic Auto Group Park. After falling 5-4 at Wisconsin in Game 1 of the 2024 Midwest League Championship
Captains win first Midwest League crown since 2010
It had been 14 years since the Lake County Captains won the championship. But after one of the most dominant seasons in Midwest League history, the Guardians' High-A affiliate ousted the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers with a 9-4 victory on Wednesday in a winner-take-all Game 3 at Classic Auto Group Park.
Captains Sink Timber Rattlers 6-2, Force Winner-Take-All Game 3 for Midwest League Title
EASTLAKE, OH – The Lake County Captains (77-53) (3-1) scored five unanswered runs to outlast the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (77-54) (3-1) by a score of 6-2 on Tuesday night at Classic Auto Group Park. With the victory, the Captains have now forced a third game to decide the 2024 Midwest
Captains Host Timber Rattlers for Game 2 of 2024 MWL Championship Series With Season on the Line
EASTLAKE, OH – Trailing 1-0 in the best-of-three set, the Lake County Captains (77-53) (2-1) will host the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (77-54) (3-0) for Game 2 of the 2024 Midwest League Championship Series Classic Auto Group Park on Tuesday at 6:35 p.m The Captains seek to win Game 2 and
Timber Rattlers Outlast Captains in Game 1 of Midwest League Championship Series
GRAND CHUTE, WI – The Lake County Captains (77-53) (2-1) fell by a score of 5-4 to the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (77-54) (3-0) in Game 1 of the Midwest League Championship Series on Sunday night at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium. The game featured two ties and four
Captains Advance to Midwest League Championship Series With 5-4 Win Over Dragons
EASTLAKE, OH – The Lake County Captains (77-53) (2-0) scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to defeat the Dayton Dragons (74-58) (0-2) by a score of 5-4, advancing to their fourth Midwest League Championship Series in franchise history, and second in the last three seasons. 2B
Cardiac Captains Defeat Dragons 4-3 in Game 1 of Midwest League East Division Championship Series
DAYTON, OH – With the Lake County Captains (77-53) (1-0) leading the Dayton Dragons (74-58) (0-1) 4-3 in the bottom of the ninth, LHP Shawn Rapp inherited runners on the corners with no outs. The left-hander got a swinging strikeout, a successful play at the plate from 1B Ralphy Velazquez
Captains and Dragons Meet in 2024 Midwest League East Division Championship Series
DAYTON, OH – The Lake County Captains (77-53) and Dayton Dragons (74-58), the High-A Affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds, meet in a best-of-three series for the Midwest League East Division title and a trip to the Midwest League Championship Series starting Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. from Day Air Ballpark in
Captain of the Week (8/27-9/1): Wuilfredo Antunez
EASTLAKE, OH – After each series this season, the Lake County Captains will spotlight a Captain of the Week, presented by Official League, showcasing a player and their strong performance over the previous week. For the week of August 27 through September 1, Lake County is recognizing OF Wuilfredo Antunez
Captains Outpower Kernels 6-3 in Final 2024 Regular-Season Home Game
EASTLAKE, OH – The Lake County Captains (32-26, 73-51) slugged three home runs to beat the Cedar Rapids Kernels (27-33, 64-60) 6-3 in their final regular-season home game on Sunday at Classic Auto Group Park. The Captains won this week’s series 4-2, and the season series 8-4. Lake County scored
Rivas’s Walk-Off RBI Single Leads Captains to 4-3 Win Over Kernels
EASTLAKE, OH – In the fifth game of a scheduled six-game series, the Lake County Captains (31-26, 72-51) defeated the Cedar Rapids Kernels (27-32, 64-59) by a score of 4-3 at Classic Auto Group Park in Eastlake. With the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the ninth
Velazquez and Mooney Power Captains to 7-4 Win Over Kernels
EASTLAKE, OH – In the fourth game of a scheduled six-game series, the Lake County Captains (30-26, 71-51) defeated the Cedar Rapids Kernels (27-31, 64-58) by a score of 7-4 at Classic Auto Group Park in Eastlake. Captains LF Ralphy Velazquez, MLB Pipeline’s No. 5 Cleveland and No. 75 overall
Bazzana Doubles Twice, Captains Fall to Kernels 5-2
EASTLAKE, OH – In the third game of a scheduled six-game series, the Lake County Captains (29-26, 70-51) fell to the Cedar Rapids Kernels (27-29, 64-57) by a score of 5-2 at Classic Auto Group Park in Eastlake. Lake County’s only scoring of the night came in the bottom of
Malmö Oat Milkers’ Comeback Comes Up Short in 7-5 Loss to Cedar Rapids
EASTLAKE, OH – The Malmö Oat Milkers (29-25, 70-50) scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth, but fell short in a 7-5 loss versus the Cedar Rapids Kernels (26-29, 63-57) at Classic Auto Group Park. In the bottom of the ninth, Oat Milkers C Johnny Tincher and LF
Captains Defeat Kernels in Rain-Shortened Series Opener
EASTLAKE, OH – In the first game of a scheduled six-game series, the Lake County Captains (29-24, 70-49) defeated the Cedar Rapids Kernels (25-30, 62-57) by a score of 5-2 on Tuesday night at Classic Auto Group Park in Eastlake. The game was declared official after the top of the
Captain of the Week (8/20-8/25): Dylan DeLucia
EASTLAKE, OH – After each series this season, the Lake County Captains will spotlight a Captain of the Week, presented by Official League, showcasing a player and their strong performance over the previous week. For the week of August 20 through 25, Lake County is recognizing RHP Dylan DeLucia as