University of Houston Athletics
Photo by: Kevin D. Liles/Atlanta Braves
MLB Season Rewind
10/28/2020 10:04:00 AM | Baseball
Reflecting on Houston's impact at the highest level
HOUSTON – With the Major League Baseball season in the rear-view mirror, we look back at the University of Houston's impact on the 2020 season.
Follow Houston Baseball on Twitter and Instagram at @UHCougarBB, and "Like" Houston Cougar Baseball on Facebook.
- Five former Houston pitchers made a Major League appearance this season. The mark was tied for the most among Division I programs in Texas. Four hurlers made MLB debuts, the most for a single season in Cougar history.
- Two Cougars made MLB debuts on Sept. 4. Right-handed pitcher Patrick Weigel entered in relief for the Atlanta Braves against Washington while Texas southpaw John King came on to face Seattle. Less than two weeks earlier, Seattle left-hander Aaron Fletcher made his first MLB appearance out of the pen against Texas.
Last year, he started in Class A. This year, he's making his MLB debut and striking out Joey Gallo. Welcome to The Show, Aaron Fletcher! pic.twitter.com/fbR2XIfMnw
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) August 23, 2020
- Twenty-seven players tutored by Houston's coaching staff made MLB appearances in 2020. The trio of head coach Todd Whitting, associate head coach Terry Rooney and assistant coach Sammy Esposito have coached a combined 65 MLB players.
- Three former Houston student-athletes are participating in MLB instructional play this fall including Jared Triolo (Pittsburgh Pirates), Fred Villarreal (Seattle Mariners) and Connor Wong (Boston Red Sox).
- One Cougar, Daniel Ponce de Leon, represented Houston in the MLB postseason. The right-hander helped St. Louis to the National League Wild Card Series. On the season, Ponce de Leon made nine appearances, including eight starts, finishing 1-3 with a 4.96 ERA in 32.2 innings.
Daniel Ponce de Leon, Discovers the Fountain of Filth.
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) August 19, 2020
90mph Cutter that hits Rizzo on a swinging K. pic.twitter.com/LioMdBR9Hr
- One run to the American League Championship Series started on Cullen Boulevard. Don Sanders Field at Darryl & Lori Schroeder Park and the Cougars' adjoining player development center served as the Houston Astros' alternate training site from July 2-24.
Follow Houston Baseball on Twitter and Instagram at @UHCougarBB, and "Like" Houston Cougar Baseball on Facebook.
Players Mentioned
LHP
/ Baseball
INF
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
C/INF
/ BaseballMedia Availability: HC Todd Whitting, Antoine Jean, Malachi Lott
Friday, May 23
Media Availability: HC Todd Whitting, Connor McGinnis, Andres Perez
Thursday, May 22
Highlights: Houston 9, Kansas State 2
Thursday, May 22
Highlights: Houston 13, Arizona 4
Thursday, May 15