Cougars in the MLB: Start of May

HOUSTON – Houston Baseball legend Josh Ekness made his MLB debut on May 3 with fellow former Cougar and current teammate John King dominating on the mound for the Marlins to highlight Cougars in the MLB through the end of April.

JOSH EKNESS | MIAMI ORG. | MIAMI MARLINS | MLB

Ekness was called up to the Major Leagues for the first time on May 2 and made his MLB debut on May 3
He tossed a perfect inning against Philadelphia, retiring Justin Crawford, Trea Turner and Kyle Schwarber
Prior to his call-up, Ekness had five appearances for Triple-A Jacksonville since April 15, including a pair of scoreless outings while collecting eight strikeouts in 5.2 innings on the mound
In his second career appearance, threw another perfect inning while striking out two against Baltimore
Miami is in second in the NL East with a 16-20 record, sitting 4.0 games out of a wild card spot
2026 MLB stat line: 0-0 | 0.00 ERA | 2 app. | 2.0 IP | 0 H | 0 R | 0 ER | 0 BB | 2 SO | 0.00 WHIP
2026 minors stat line: 1-1 | 1 Sv | 5.68 ERA | 9 apps. | 12.2 IP | 13 H | 9 R | 8 ER | 6 BB | 21 SO | 1.50 WHIP

JOHN KING | MIAMI ORG. | MIAMI MARLINS | MLB

In 10 appearances since April 15, King has posted two holds and nine strikeouts while limiting opponents to just one run in 10.2 innings on the mound
King has held opponents to just one run in 17 outings this season to tally a 0.57 ERA
The seventh-year veteran has a xwOBA in the 93^rd percentile of eligible pitchers this year, limiting foes to a .250 expected weighted on-base average
His chase rate of 37 percent is in the 96^th percentile while he's allowed a hard hit (>95 mph exit velocity) on just 25.7 percent of his contacts, ranking in the 94^th percentile
Miami is in second in the NL East with a 16-20 record, sitting 4.0 games out of a wild card spot
2026 MLB stat line: 1-0 | 0.57 ERA | 17 apps. | 15.2 IP | 3 H | 1 R | 1 ER | 5 BB | 14 SO | 0.51 WHIP

JARED TRIOLO | PITTSBURGH ORG. | PITTSBURGH PIRATES | MLB

Placed on the 10-day IL on April 5 with a knee injury but was activated on May 2
Made his return to play on the second as a pinch-hitter
Earned his first start back on May 5, going 1-for-3 with a double against Arizona
Began his rehab assignment on April 24 and spent time with Single-A Bradenton and Double-A Altoona
During his return to play in the minors, Triolo has collected five hits while scoring three runs and tallying three RBIs
Pittsburgh is 19-17 in a loaded NL Central, sitting 5.0 games back in the division and 1.0 in the wild card
2026 MLB stat line: 8 G | 27 AB | 2 R | 6 H | 2 2B | 1 RBI | .222 AVG | .300 OBP | .296 SLG | .596 OPS

CONNOR WONG | BOSTON ORG. | BOSTON RED SOX | MLB

Continues to play an important role as Boston's reserve catcher
In his nine games played since April 15, Wong has collected five hits, including two doubles, and five RBIs
Wong registers a hard hit in 35.1 percent of his contacts
Caught a runner stealing against Detroit, his 10^th in the last two seasons
Went 1-for-3 with an RBI in his most recent game against Detroit on May 5
Boston is 15-21 on the season but is just 2.0 games out of a wild card spot
2026 MLB stat line: 14 G | 41 AB | 3 R | 10 H | 5 2B | 5 RBI | .244 AVG | .326 OBP | .366 SLG | .692 OPS

ROBERT GASSER | MILWAUKEE ORG. | NASHVILLE SOUNDS | AAA

Earned two starts for Nashville since April 15, receiving no decision in either start
Tossed 4.2 IP, allowing seven hits and two runs while striking out seven
In his most recent start, threw 2.2 innings against Norfolk where he struck out five
Nashville holds a 17-16 record, sitting 5.0 games out of first in the International League West
Tabbed the 16^th best prospect (2^nd best LHP) in the Milwaukee system by MLB.com
2026 minors stat line: 0-0 | 3.95 ERA | 4 apps. | 4 starts | 13.2 IP | 16 H | 6 R | 6 ER | 7 BB | 22 SO | 1.68 WHIP

NICK HERNANDEZ | ATHLETICS ORG. | LAS VEGAS AVIATORS | AAA

Since April 15, has made four appearances for Las Vegas, throwing 4.2 innings
Tallied seven strikeouts with only two walks
Las Vegas holds a 18-14 record, leading the Pacific Coast West
2026 minors stat line: 0-0 | 11.00 ERA | 7 apps. | 9.0 IP | 15 H | 11 R | 11 ER | 5 BB | 13 SO | 2.22 WHIP

COREY JULKS | DETROIT ORG. | TOLEDO MUD HENS | AAA

Leads Toledo with six homers, six multi-RBI games and 20 RBIs
Ranks fourth on the team with nine multi-hit games
Sits in 12^th in the International League with six homers and 19^th with 20 RBIs
Toledo is 17-16 on the year, 5.0 games out of first in the International League West
2026 minors stat line: 26 G | 97 AB | 15 R | 26 H | 5 2B | 6 HR | 20 RBI | .268 AVG | .372 OBP | .505 SLG | .877 OPS

BEN SEARS | KANSAS CITY ORG. | OMAHA STORM CHASERS | AAA

Has solidified a role as a reliever or bullpen-day starter in Omaha
Leads Omaha pitchers with at least one start in first-pitch strike percentage (76.5 percent)
Threw two one-hit innings against Toledo on April 26
Omaha is 14-18 this season, 7.5 games out in the International League West
2026 minors stat line: 0-0 | 4.50 ERA | 8 apps. | 3 starts | 16.0 IP | 16 H | 8 R | 8 ER | 6 BB | 8 SO | 1.38 WHIP

PATRICK WEIGEL | COLORADO ORG. | ALBUQUERQUE ISOTOPES | AAA

Made four appearances since April 15, bringing his total to seven on the year
Threw three one-hit innings against El Paso where he struck out two
Fanned five batters in 4.2 innings against Oklahoma City on April 16
Albuquerque leads the Pacific Coast League East with a 19-15 record
2026 minors stat line: 0-1 | 6.32 ERA | 7 apps. | 3 starts | 15.2 IP | 15 H | 11 R | 11 ER | 12 BB | 15 SO | 1.72 WHIP

HAROLD COLL | LOS ANGELES (AL) ORG. | ROCKET CITY TRASH PANDAS | AA

Ranks second in the Southern League in RBI (22)
From April 21-26 in the series against Biloxi, Coll collected 10 RBIs, the fourth double-digit RBI series in Rocket City history
In his most recent game on May 5, went 1-for-3 with a run scored, double and RBI against Pensacola
Collected three RBIs in three games against Biloxi as part of seven multi-RBI games this season
Rocket City is 13-15 this year, 5.0 out of first in the Southern League North
2026 minors stat line: 27 G | 94 AB | 9 R | 18 H | 3 2B | 1 3B | 2 HR | 23 RBI | .191 AVG | .297 OBP | .309 SLG | .606 OPS

JAYCOB DEESE | PITTSBURGH ORG. | ALTOONA CURVE | AA

Threw two innings and struck out two to claim his first double-A win on May 1
One of three pitchers in a shutout against Portland on April 18
Threw one inning as part of the shutout to earn the save
In his most recent appearance on May 5, tossed 2.0 shutout innings while striking out four against Chesapeake
Altoona is 9-18 this season
2026 minors stat line: 1-1 | 4.05 ERA | 8 apps. | 13.1 IP | 17 H | 9 R | 6 ER | 4 BB | 11 SO | 1.58 WHIP

CADE CITELLI | TAMPA BAY ORG. | BOWLING GREEN HOT RODS | HIGH-A

Earned first win of the season against Greenville, throwing two innings and allowing one hit
Picked up another win against Jersey Shore after tossing 1.1 shutout innings
Bowling Green leads the South Atlantic League with a 17-10 record
2026 minors stat line: 2-0 | 2.70 ERA | 7 apps. | 10.0 IP | 5 H | 3 R | 3 ER | 8 BB | 6 SO | 1.30 WHIP

CONNOR MCGINNIS | NEW YORK (AL) ORG. | HUDSON VALLEY RENEGADES | HIGH-A

Posted two hits in three games this season while adding a pair of walks
Hudson Valley holds a 3-5 record and is three games back in the South Atlantic League
2026 minors stat line: 14 G | 43 AB | 6 R | 8 H | 2 2B | 1 HR | 2 RBI | .186 AVG | .327 OBP | .302 SLG | .629 OPS

ANTOINE JEAN | COLORADO ORG. | SPOKANE INDIANS | HIGH-A

Removed from his first career outing with an ACL injury which required surgery
Will miss remainder of 2026 season

RYAN DOLLAR | NEW YORK (NL) ORG. | ST. LUCIE METS | SINGLE-A

Tossed one no-hit inning against Daytona Beach on April 18
Threw two scoreless innings against Tampa on May 1, striking out all six batters he faced
Tossed another two scoreless innings, allowing just one hit against Lakeland
St. Lucie is 13-15 this year, 3.0 games out in the Florida State League
2026 minors stat line: 0-1 | 5.59 ERA | 8 apps. | 9.2 IP | 6 H | 6 R | 6 ER | 5 BB | 16 SO | 1.14 WHIP

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