Meet the Corpus Christi Hooks

Part two of the Meet the Team series takes us down to South Texas. Let's get to know the 2021 Corpus Christi Hooks!

Photo from Chris Creamer's SportsLogos.Net

The Hooks have been an Astros affiliate since its inception in 2005. 2020 would have been the 15th anniversary of their inaugural season, but again, unless you have been living off the grid, there was no Minor League Baseball season. During the (still) ongoing pandemic, Whataburger Field has served as the Astros' Alternate Site.

Following the MiLB realignment, Corpus was placed in the AA Central League, which is essentially a continuation of the Texas League. (Why didn't they just retain the league names?) This ten-team league consists of the eight teams that comprised the Texas League, with San Antonio and Wichita moving down from what used to be the AAA Pacific Coast League. Wichita makes its return to minor league baseball with the Wind Surge. The last franchise in that city now does business as the Northwest Arkansas Naturals. 

Corpus Christi will play in the South division, which consists of all Texas clubs just like the old Texas League, alongside Amarillo (now a D-Backs affiliate), Frisco (Rangers), Midland (A's), and San Antonio (back with the Padres). The North division is, well, the Texas League's North division (Arkansas, NW Arkansas, Springfield, Tulsa) with Wichita added in.

As Corpus Christi is the birthplace of Whataburger, the Hooks have decided to commemorate the beloved burger chain's Coastal Bend roots. You have probably seen the apparel collection, complete with their twist on the iconic orange W logo. Every Wednesday, they will take the field as the "Corpus Christi Honey Butter Chicken Biscuits," with jerseys that evoke the table tents that you get with every Whataburger order. 

@cchooks

Get your 🔥 merch at cchooks.com/shop ##whataburger ##MLB ##milb ##baseball ##fyp ##astros ##fastfood ##greenscreen

♬ Pumpkins - Clutch

Corpus opens its 2021 season Tuesday as they host the San Antonio Missions.

SOCIAL MEDIA/TEAM-RELATED ACCOUNTS

Official website: cchooks.com

Twitter: @cchooks

Instagram: cchooks

Michael Coffin, radio play-by-play, Director of Media Relations and Broadcasting: @CoffinMJC

COACHING STAFF

2014 Astro Gregorio Petit will finally get his first managerial opportunity. He was originally slated to take over as Hooks manager in 2020 and then you know what happened next.

Manager: Gregorio Petit

Pitching Coach: Graham Johnson

Hitting Coach: Rafael Peña

Athletic Trainer: Nate Stewart

Strength Coach: Mike Myers

ROSTER

Corpus Christi has served as a landing spot for many top Astros prospects to start and this year is no different. Hunter Brown appears to be on the fast track as he's skipping both A levels to begin his first full professional season with the Hooks. The man to watch, however, is Pedro León, the highly-touted Cuban outfielder who will be making his professional debut as an infielder. León has received significant hype in advance, but now it's time for him to deliver.

Italics - player bats/pitches left-handed

Bold - player is a switch-hitter

Pitchers

Jonathan Bermúdez - 23rd round, 2018 draft (Southeastern); played with Quad Cities and Corpus Christi in 2019

Hunter Brown - 5th round, 2019 draft (Wayne State); Tri-City

Willy Collado - International free agent (Dominican Republic), 2016; Corpus/Fayetteville/Quad Cities

Brett Daniels - 17th round, 2018 draft (North Carolina); Corpus/Quad Cities

Tommy DeJuneas - Acquired via trade from Cleveland for James Hoyt, 2018; Corpus/Fayetteville

Chad Donato - 11th round, 2016 draft (West Virginia); Corpus/Fayetteville

J.P. France - 14th round, 2018 draft (Mississippi State); Fayetteville

Nick Hernandez - 8th round, 2016 draft (Houston); Corpus/Fayetteville

Michael Horrell - 30th round, 2019 draft (Campbell); Tri-City

Parker Mushinski - 7th round, 2017 draft (Texas Tech); Fayetteville, with rehab appearances in Tri-City and the Gulf Coast League

Hunter Peck - Undrafted free agent, 2020 (Georgia Gwinnett)

Joe Record - Rule 5 draft selection (minor league phase) from Twins, 2020; Cedar Rapids/Fort Myers (Twins)

César Rosado - International free agent (Dominican Republic), 2014; Fayetteville

Catchers

Scott Manea - Acquired via trade along with Ross Adolph and Luis Santana from Mets for J.D. Davis and Cody Bohanek, 2019; Fayetteville

C.J. Stubbs - 10th round, 2019 draft (Southern Cal); Quad Cities/Tri-City

Infielders

Norel González - International free agent (Cuba), 2021; last played in 2018-19 for Villa Clara (Cuban National Series)

David Hensley - 26th round, 2018 draft (San Diego State); Fayetteville/Quad Cities

Grae Kessinger - 2nd round, 2019 draft (Ole Miss); Quad Cities/Tri-City

Pedro León - International free agent (Cuba), 2021; last played in 2018-19 for Mayabeque (Cuban National Series)

J.J. Matijevic - 2nd round, 2017 draft (Arizona); Corpus/Fayetteville

Michael Wielansky - 18th round, 2018 draft (College of Wooster); Quad Cities

Outfielders

Ross Adolph - Acquired via trade along with Scott Manea and Luis Santana from Mets for J.D. Davis and Cody Bohanek, 2019; Fayetteville/Quad Cities

Marty Costes - 22nd round, 2018 draft (Maryland); Fayetteville/Quad Cities

Corey Julks - 8th round, 2017 draft (Houston); Corpus/Fayetteville

Chandler Taylor - 10th round, 2018 draft (Alabama); Fayetteville

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Monday, August 26, 2019

Round Rock 6, San Antonio 0

W- José Urquidy (7-5)
L- Shelby Miller (1-2)

RR home runs: None.

The E-Train came out on top to begin this crucial series.

José Urquidy and two relievers combined on the shutout. Urquidy started things off by allowing three hits, walking one, and striking out eight in 5.2 innings of work. Riley Ferrell was the first man out of the Round Rock bullpen and he walked three and struck out four in 2.1 innings and Ralph Garza allowed a hit and struck out one in the 9th to complete the shutout.

Chas McCormick ripped an RBI double in the 3rd to open the scoring. The Express went off for five in the 4th after loading the bases to lead off the inning. Alex De Goti hit into a fielder's choice that allowed Taylor Jones to score; an error on the play also allowed Nick Tanielu to come home. Ronnie Dawson hit a sac fly that scored Lorenzo Quintana. McCormick smacked an RBI triple and scored on Drew Ferguson's single. McCormick and Dawson both had two hits apiece.

Kent Emanuel goes up against Thomas Jankins in game two. First pitch is at 7:05.

Arkansas 5, Corpus Christi 2

W- Matt Tenuta (3-2)
L- Brandon Bailey (4-5)

CC home runs: None.

For a while, the Hooks were on the wrong end of a perfect game. Unfortunately, Corpus also dropped their third game in a row, dropping their elimination number to four. They basically might have to win out and hope Midland and Frisco stumble along the way.

Bryan de la Cruz quashed the Travs' perfect game bid when he tripled to lead off the 7th. He wound up scoring on J.J. Matijevic's groundout. De La Cruz, who went 2-4, drove in Corpus Christi's other run with an RBI single in the 8th.

Brandon Bailey went four innings and allowed three runs on five hits (two-run homer) while striking out eight. Willy Collado was the first man out of the Hooks bullpen and he allowed an unearned run on five hits and struck out one in 2.1 innings. Tommy DeJuneas tagged in for 1.2 innings and allowed a run on a wild pitch, walked two, and out two. Nick Hernandez walked one and struck out two in a scoreless 9th.

Enoli Paredes will take on Ian McKinney in game two. First pitch is at 6:15.

Fayetteville 4, Carolina 3

W- Luis Garcia (10-4)
L- Matt Smith (4-12)
S- Riley Cabral (9)

Fayetteville home runs: Chandler Taylor (12, 2-run in 1st)

The Woodpeckers took over the second-half lead in the Carolina League's Southern division behind a strong outing from Luis Garcia.

Chandler Taylor whacked a two-run homer in the 1st and David Hensley ripped a two-run double in the 5th. Taylor finished 3-4 on the night while Hensley and Miguelangel Sierra had two hits apiece. Michael Papierski went 0-3 with a couple of strikeouts, but he also drew a couple of walks and scored two of the four Fayetteville runs.

Garcia walked four and struck out ten over five shutout innings. Leovanny Rodriguez pitched 1.2 innings and allowed three runs on three hits, walked two, and struck out two. César Rosado tagged in for 1.1 innings, walking one and striking out one. Riley Cabral allowed a hit, walked one, and struck out the side in the 9th to get the save.

Shawn Dubin will take on Wuilder Rodriguez in game two of this series. First pitch is at 7:00 Eastern.

Kane County 8, Quad Cities 1


W- Luis Frias (3-1)
L- R.J. Freure (5-6)

QC home runs: None.

Quad Cities got on the board first... and then Kane County scored all of the other runs in this game.

Trey Dawson's RBI single in the 1st was the Banditos' lone scoring play. He and Freúdis Nova both finished 2-4.

R.J. Freure went 5.1 innings and allowed five runs (four earned, two inherited runners charged to him) on seven hits, walked two, and struck out three. Devin Conn was the first man out of the Banditos bullpen and he allowed three runs (one earned) of his own on five hits, walked one, and struck out one. Luis de Paula struck out the side in order in the 9th.

José Alberto Rivera will start the series finale and he'll take on Matt Tabor at 6:35.

Staten Island 8, Tri-City 0

W- Anderson Muñoz (7-2)
L- Hunter Brown (1-2)
S- Sean Boyle (1)

TC home runs: None.

The ValleyCats got blanked on Monday.

Juan Paulino finished 2-4.

Hunter Brown allowed a run on two hits, walked one, and struck out four in two innings. Derek West was the first man out of the Tri-City bullpen and he allowed two runs on two hits, walked two, and struck out two in 1.2 innings of work. Danny Cody was next and he allowed three runs (one earned, two inherited runners charged to him) on two hits, walked one, and struck out two in two innings. Peyton Battenfield went 2.1 innings and allowed two runs on four hits, walked three, and struck out three.

Angel Macuare will start the series finale. First pitch is at 7:00 Eastern.

Monday's Stars

All photos are from Jayne unless stated otherwise.

Luis Garcia, RHP, Fayetteville

W (10-4), 5 IP, 4 BB, 10 K

Chandler Taylor, OF, and David Hensley, IF, Fayetteville

Taylor: 3-4, 2-R HR (12)

Hensley: 2-5, 2B, 2 RBI

Chas McCormick, OF, Round Rock

2-5, 2B, 3B, 2 RBI, R

Round Rock Express pitchers: W 6-0 vs. San Antonio

9 IP, 4 H, 4 BB, 13 K

José Urquidy: W (7-5), 5.2 IP, 3 H, BB, 8 K

Riley Ferrell: 2.1 IP, 3 BB, 4 K

Ralph Garza Jr.: IP, H, K

Hunter Brown, RHP, and Miguel Figueroa, RHP, Tri-City

Brown: L (1-2), 2 IP, 2 H, ER, BB, 4 K

Figueroa: IP, BB, 2 K

Bryan de la Cruz, OF, Corpus Christi

2-4, 3B, RBI, R

Astros Minor League Recaps

Results for Monday, August 12, 2019

Round Rock 11, Albuquerque 6

W- Framber Valdez (4-2)
L- Pat Dean (3-11)

RR home runs: Kyle Tucker 2 (32; 2-run in 1st, 2-run in 9th), Garrett Stubbs (7, solo in 5th)

The E-Train went off for five runs in the top of the 9th to bust open what had been a 6-5 lead and then they defused a bases-loaded predicament before things got out of hand in the bottom of the 9th.

Kyle Tucker whacked the first of his two two-run homers on the night in the 1st inning. Garrett Stubbs led off the 5th with a home run and Jack Mayfield drove in another run with an RBI single. In the 7th, Nick Tanielu ripped an RBI double and he came home on Mayfield's sac fly. In the 9th, Tanielu smacked a two-run double and came around to score on Mayfield's base hit. One batter later, Tucker launched his second two-run shot of the night. The three of them, along with Myles Straw, all finished with two hits on the evening.

Framber Valdez pitched 6.2 innings and allowed four runs, all of which scored on a pair of two-run homers, on six hits, walked one, and struck out a career-high 13, which also set a new Round Rock franchise record at the Triple-A level. Ronel Blanco was the first man out of the Round Rock bullpen; he got the last out of the 7th and pitched the 8th, allowing an unearned run on a passed ball, a hit, and walking one. Riley Ferrell allowed a run on two hits, walked two, and struck out two in the 9th. The Isotopes loaded the bases on him but he managed to keep his composure and finished this game off.

José Urquidy will start the series finale and he'll go up against Chris Rusin at 6:35 Mountain.

Corpus Christi 7, Frisco 5

W- Brett Adcock (2-8)
L- Ronald Herrera (2-3)
S- Carlos Sanabria (7)

CC home runs: Jake Adams (17, 2-run in 2nd)

The Hooks had to withstand a five-run 8th from the Roughriders but fortunately, they were able to emerge with the victory.

Yohan Ramriez allowed five hits, walked two, and struck out eight in 4.1 innings of work. Colin McKee came in with two men on and stranded them both as he got the last two outs of the 5th, striking out one. Brett Adcock was next; he allowed a grand slam in Frisco's huge 8th, one of six hits that he allowed in his 2.1 innings. Adcock also walked two and struck out four. Carlos Sanabria got the last 1.2 innings and allowed an unearned run on an RBI single and struck out two.

Jake Adams homered for the second consecutive night as he launched a two-run shot in the 2nd inning. With the bases loaded and two outs in the 6th, Adams brought everyone in with a double and he came around to score on a Chuckie Robinson single. J.J. Matijevic lashed an RBI double in the 7th but was thrown out trying to stretch it into a triple. Adams finished 2-4 on the night and had a hand in all but one of Corpus Christi's scoring plays.

Chad Donato takes on Tyler Phillips in game two of this series. First pitch is at 6:15.

Fayetteville was off

The Woodpeckers will begin a three-game series with Down East at 7:00 Eastern.

Wisconsin 4, Quad Cities 3

W- Nick Bennett (1-0)
L- Lupe Chavez (0-3)
S- Logan Gillaspie (1)

QC home runs: None.

The Banditos were foiled in their bid to sweep this series as their comeback bid fell short.

Guadalupe Chavez pitched four innings and allowed an unearned run on three hits and walked two. Felipe Tejada and Devin Conn threw two innings apiece, with contrasting results. Tejada allowed three runs on three hits, walked two, and struck out two, while Conn had a perfect outing, recording four groundouts and two flyball outs.

Quad Cities got on the board in the 7th thanks to a couple of errors that allowed James Nix and Austin Dennis to score. Freúdis Nova drove in a run with a groundout in the 8th. Oscar Campos went 2-4 and stole a base in this game.

The Banditos will have Tuesday off before starting a three-game series with Beloit on Wednesday.

Tri-City 7, Connecticut 5

W- Peyton Battenfield (2-1)
L- Austin Bergner (0-1)
S- Peyton Plumlee (1)

TC home runs: A.J. Lee (5, 2-run in 2nd), Nate Perry (8, solo in 2nd), Jordan Brewer (1, solo in 3rd)

The ValleyCats stormed out to a 7-0 lead after the 3rd inning and staved off the Tigers' comeback bid.

Hunter Brown started things off with two scoreless, walking one and striking out four. Derek West and Peyton Battenfield followed with three innings apiece; West allowed three runs on three hits, walked one, and struck out five, while Battenfield allowed two runs on four hits, walked one, and struck out five. Peyton Plumlee pitched a 1-2-3 9th to get the save.

C.J. Stubbs opened up the scoring with a two-run double in the 1st inning. Tri-City went off for four in the 2nd as Luis Santana hit a sac fly and A.J. Lee (two-run) and Nate Perry (solo) clubbed back-to-back home runs. Jordan Brewer went deep for the first time as a pro when he sent one out for a solo shot in the 3rd inning. A.J. Lee finished 3-4 on the night while Perry and Brewer both finished with two hits and two runs scored.

The ValleyCats will look for a series sweep in their final meeting with the Tigers in 2019. First pitch is at 7:05 Eastern.

DSL Astros 4, DSL Athletics 2

W- Miguel Padilla (3-1)
L- James Gonzalez (1-3)
S- Edinson Batista (2)

DSL home runs: Yohander Martinez (1, 2-run in 1st)

The Dominican 'Stros had the advantage of putting up the only crooked number in this game.

Yohander Martinez hit his first career homer, a two-run blast in the 1st that opened the scoring. Miguel Palma drove in a run with a groundout in the 3rd and scored on a sac fly from Cristian Gonzalez in the 8th. Carlos Hurtado went 2-3.

Danny Subero allowed a hit, walked one, and struck out three over three scoreless. Miguel Padilla walked one and struck out two in a scoreless 4th. José Nodal took over for four innings and he allowed a run on two hits while striking out four and Edinson Batista allowed a run on a sac fly, a single, walked one, and struck out two in the 9th.

Monday's Stars

All photos are from Jayne unless stated otherwise.

Danny Subero, RHP, DSL Astros: 3 IP, H, BB, 3 K

Jake Adams (getting hug from Jonathan Arauz), 1B, Corpus Christi

2-4, 2B, 2-R HR (17), 5 RBI, 2 R

Yohan Ramirez, RHP, Corpus Christi

4.1 IP, 5 H, 2 BB, 8 K

Jordan Brewer's photo is his mugshot on MiLB.com.

Nate Perry, C/1B, A.J. Lee, IF, and Jordan Brewer, OF, Tri-City

Perry: 2-5, 2B, solo HR (8), 2 R

Lee: 3-4, 2B, 2-R HR (5)

Brewer: 2-4, solo HR (1), 2 R

Hunter Brown, RHP, Tri-City

2 IP, BB, 4 K

Kyle Tucker, OF, Nick Tanielu, IF, and Jack Mayfield, IF, Round Rock

Tucker: 2-5, 2 HR (32), 4 RBI

Tanielu: 2-2, 2 2B, 3 RBI, 2 R

Mayfield: 2-4, 3 RBI, R

2019 Astros Draft Picks/Undrafted Free Agents on Social Media

Welcome to the Houston Astros 2019 Draft class! What the Heck, Bobby? would like to wish you nothing but the best in your endeavors as you begin your own personal journeys to Minute Maid Park.

This page contains the Twitter (or Instagram) accounts of the 2019 draft class and will be updated as the Draft progresses. Accounts for non-drafted free agents will also be included here. In the event that they are not on Twitter, their Instagram accounts (if they have one) will be listed instead. If you find a player on social media that we may have missed, please leave a note in the comments.

The Astros Player Twitter list will be updated as each player officially signs. Those who have signed are shown in bold.

Round 1, Pick 32: Korey Lee, C, Cal - @koreyleeeeee
Round 2, Pick 68: Grae Kessinger, SS, Ole Miss - @Swagulater15
Round 3, Pick 106: Jordan Brewer, CF, Michigan - @B_R_5_5_Z_Y
Round 4, Pick 136: Colin Barber, CF, Pleasant Valley High School (Chico, California) -  on Instagram @barber9_ (Private account); committed to Oregon
Round 5, Pick 166: Hunter Brown, RHP, Wayne State - @xhunterbrownx
Round 6, Pick 196: Matthew Barefoot, CF, Campbell - @Mattfoot8
Round 7, Pick 226: Blair Henley, RHP, Texas - @blairhenley17
Round 8, Pick 256: Luis Guerrero, CF, Miami-Dade College; commited to South Florida
Round 9, Pick 286: Peyton Battenfield, RHP, Oklahoma State - @PBattenfield; has not tweeted since 2015
Round 10, Pick 316: C.J. Stubbs, C, Southern Cal - @cj_stubbs1
Round 11, Pick 346: Ryan Gusto, RHP, Florida Southwestern State College - @ryangusto11; has not tweeted since 2017, committed to Western Kentucky
Round 12, Pick 376: Garrett Gayle, RHP, Rice - @GarrettGayle37 (Private account)
Round 13, Pick 406: Kevin Holcomb, RHP, Glendale College (California); committed to UCLA
Round 14, Pick 436: Derek West, RHP, Pittsburgh - @DWestPitt
Round 15, Pick 466: Cole McDonald, RHP, Iowa - @mcdonald_cole
Round 16, Pick 496: Dexter Jordan, 2B, Pearl River Community College - @dexjordan20 (signed according to Baseball America)
Round 17, Pick 526: Danny Cody, RHP, Baldwin Wallace - @DannyCody13 (Private account)
Round 18, Pick 556: Justin Campbell, RHP, Simi Valley High School (Simi Valley, California) - @juhjuh162710; committed to Tulane
Round 19, Pick 586: Tyler Krabbe, C, Montevallo - @Tkrabbe22 (signed according to Baseball America)
Round 20, Pick 616: Alex Palmer, RHP, Stephen F. Austin - @Theliontails (Private account)
Round 21, Pick 646: Davis Vainer, RHP, Alabama - @the_bald_buddha
Round 22, Pick 676: Shea Barry, RHP, UC Santa Barbara - @smbarry7
Round 23, Pick 706: Zach Biermann, 1B, Coastal Carolina - @ZBiermann45
Round 24: Pick 736: Preston Pavlica, CF, Grand Canyon - @CallMePav
Round 25, Pick 766: E.P. Reese, CF, Winston-Salem State - @epreese_iv
Round 26, Pick 796: Chandler Casey, RHP, Lubbock Christian - @chandler24_SL
Round 27, Pick 826: Kevin Dickey, LHP, Seminole State (Oklahoma) - @15kevindickey; committed to Texas Tech
Round 28, Pick 856: Bryan Arias, 2B, Texas-San Antonio - @TheBryanArias
Round 29, Pick 886: Whit Drennan, LHP, Rollins College - @WhitDrennan
Round 30, Pick 916: Michael Horrell, RHP, Campbell - @mhorrell106
Round 31, Pick 946: Peyton Plumlee, RHP, Mississippi State - @Peytonplum1
Round 32, Pick 976: Oscar Carvajal, RHP, Fresno State - @OscarOskie
Round 33, Pick 1006: Bryan Martinez, LHP, Connors State College - @BryanMa50247503 (Private account)
Round 34, Pick 1036: A.J. Lee, SS, Maryland - @AJ_Lee02
Round 35, Pick 1066: James Nix, RF, College of Central Florida - @jamesnix40; committed to South Carolina
Round 36, Pick 1096: Chandler Murphy, RHP, Liberty High School (Peoria, Arizona) - @chandler2233; committed to Arizona
Round 37, Pick 1126: Max Dias, 3B, Porter High School (Porter, Texas) - @MDD_5; committed to New Orleans
Round 38, Pick 1156: J.C. Correa, SS, Lamar - @Jc_Correa1
Round 39, Pick 1186: Brock Rudy, C, Northgate High School (Walnut Creek, California) - @rudy17_brock; committed to Utah
Round 40, Pick 1216: Dillon Plew, 1B, Washington State - @LilPlewy22

Undrafted Free Agents

In the past, there were several players who had apparently signed with the Astros and had received congratulatory messages from old coaches/family/teammates/etc., but they never actually appeared in a game in the organization. We will withhold UDFA social media information until they have appeared on the roster of an Astros minor league affiliate.