Ethan Pecko’s path to professional baseball has been a wild one. He wasn’t able to pitch during his senior year in 2020 due to the pandemic, and he also didn’t pitch his first year of college after undergoing Tommy John surgery, and then La Salle dropping their baseball program. 

This left him with few options, but he was able to transfer to Towson and was able to catch the attention of a few big-league clubs. 

While he likely could have been drafted higher if not for two lost seasons, he was drafted by the Houston Astros during the 2023 MLB Draft in the sixth round and immediately showed his value in the minors. 

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Hunter Brown’s injury could create an opportunity for Astros’ No. 7 prospect

During his first year in the minors, Pecko won the Astros’ Minor League Pitcher of the Year Award. However, a strained forearm would cost him two months of the 2025 season, delaying some of his development. 

But he started the season healthy and has been able to miss barrels in his limited innings in High-A while he gets stretched out. 

With the recent injury to Hunter Brown, who is dealing with a Grade 2 right shoulder strain and has been shut down from throwing, MLB Pipeline believes this could create an opportunity for Pecko. 

“The 2023 sixth-rounder from Towson utilizes a five-pitch mix highlighted by a fastball that ranges from 93-98 mph with good shape, and he creates deception with a low three-quarters arm slot and good extension. Hunter Brown’s shoulder strain could create an opportunity for Pecko sooner rather than later.”

Houston did call up Christian Roa in place of Brown, but he is viewed as more of a bullpen option than a starter. Other options include Spencer Arrighetti, who has shown what he is capable of, and also J.P. France.

However, it could be on Pecko to make a few starts once he gets stretched out down in the minors.

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