Hooks announce preliminary roster ahead of exhibition with Texas A&M-Corpus Christi

The Corpus Christi Hooks boast 19 returning players on the initial 27-man roster, released Tuesday by the Houston Astros ahead of Wednesday's exhibition game with Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.

Bryan Arias, Grae Kessinger, Joe Perez and Enmanuel Valdez are joined on the infield by newcomer Shay Whitcomb. Perez, ranked at No. 9 among Astros prospects by MLB.com, led Houston minor leaguers with 213 total bases and 52 extra-base hits last season, combining to bat .291 with 34 doubles, 18 home runs and 61 RBIs in 106 games between Low-A Fayetteville, High-A Asheville and Double-A Corpus Christi.

Ross Adolph and Matthew Barefoot bring Class AA experience to Corpus Christi’s outfield. Luke Berryhill, Yainer Diaz and Cesar Salazar comprise the initial Corpus Christi catching corps. Both Berryhill and Salazar finished 2021 with the Hooks.

Jimmy Endersby is one of 11 returnees on the 15-man pitching staff. Endersby slotted among the Astros 2021 system standouts in ERA (3rd, 3.90), opponent average (3rd, .238), WHIP (4th, 1.42), wins (T-4th, 7), strikeouts (6th, 110), innings (6th, 97.0) and starts (8th, 17).

Wednesday is the second meeting between the Hooks and Islanders at Whataburger Field. A&M-Corpus Christi lost a 7-3 decision to the Double-A Astros on April 3, 2013.

Corpus Christi officially begins its 17th season of play Friday as the San Antonio Missions, Double-A club of the San Diego Padres, visit Whataburger Field.

2022 Hooks Preliminary Roster

PITCHERS

Jose Bravo*

Tyler Brown*

Devin Conn*

Cody Deason

Jimmy Endersby*

Ruben Garcia

Layne Henderson*

Michael Horrell*

Angel Macuare*

Jaime Melendez*

Joe Record*

Julio Robaina

Matthew Ruppenthal*

Jonathan Sprinkle*

Misael Tamarez

POSITION PLAYERS

Wilyer Abreu

Ross Adolph*

Bryan Arias*

Matthew Barefoot*

Luke Berryhill *

Yainer Diaz

Justin Dirden

Grae Kessinger*

Joe Perez*

Cesar Salazar*

Enmanuel Valdez*

Shay Whitcomb

*denotes returners

This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Corpus Christi Hooks announce 2022 preliminary roster