{"id":653995,"date":"2026-05-06T19:59:13","date_gmt":"2026-05-06T19:59:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/653995\/"},"modified":"2026-05-06T19:59:13","modified_gmt":"2026-05-06T19:59:13","slug":"cougars-in-the-mlb-start-of-may","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/653995\/","title":{"rendered":"Cougars in the MLB: Start of May"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>HOUSTON \u2013\u00a0Houston 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.<br \/>\n\u00a0<br \/>\nJOSH EKNESS | MIAMI ORG. | MIAMI MARLINS | MLB<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n\tEkness was called up to the Major Leagues for the first time on May 2 and made his MLB debut on May 3&#13;<br \/>\n\tHe tossed a perfect inning against Philadelphia, retiring Justin Crawford, Trea Turner and Kyle Schwarber&#13;<br \/>\n\tPrior 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&#13;<br \/>\n\tIn his second career appearance, threw another perfect inning while striking out two against Baltimore&#13;<br \/>\n\tMiami is in second in the NL East with a 16-20 record, sitting 4.0 games out of a wild card spot&#13;<br \/>\n\t2026 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&#13;<br \/>\n\t2026 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&#13;<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<br \/>\nJOHN KING | MIAMI ORG. | MIAMI MARLINS | MLB<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n\tIn 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&#13;<br \/>\n\tKing has held opponents to just one run in 17 outings this season to tally a 0.57 ERA&#13;<br \/>\n\tThe seventh-year veteran has a xwOBA in the 93rd\u00a0percentile of eligible pitchers this year, limiting foes to a .250 expected weighted on-base average&#13;<br \/>\n\tHis chase rate of 37 percent is in the 96th\u00a0percentile while he&#8217;s allowed a hard hit (&gt;95 mph exit velocity) on just 25.7 percent of his contacts, ranking in the 94th\u00a0percentile&#13;<br \/>\n\tMiami is in second in the NL East with a 16-20 record, sitting 4.0 games out of a wild card spot&#13;<br \/>\n\t2026 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&#13;<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<br \/>\nJARED TRIOLO | PITTSBURGH ORG. | PITTSBURGH PIRATES | MLB<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n\tPlaced on the 10-day IL on April 5 with a knee injury but was activated on May 2\u00a0&#13;<br \/>\n\tMade his return to play on the second as a pinch-hitter&#13;<br \/>\n\tEarned his first start back on May 5, going 1-for-3 with a double against Arizona&#13;<br \/>\n\tBegan his rehab assignment on April 24 and spent time with Single-A Bradenton and Double-A Altoona&#13;<br \/>\n\tDuring his return to play in the minors, Triolo has collected five hits while scoring three runs and tallying three RBIs&#13;<br \/>\n\tPittsburgh is 19-17 in a loaded NL Central, sitting 5.0 games back in the division and 1.0 in the wild card&#13;<br \/>\n\t2026 MLB stat line: 8 G | 27 AB | 2 R | 6 H | 2 2B | 1 RBI | .222 AVG | .300 OBP | .296 SLG | .596 OPS&#13;<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<br \/>\nCONNOR WONG | BOSTON ORG. | BOSTON RED SOX | MLB<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n\tContinues to play an important role as Boston&#8217;s reserve catcher&#13;<br \/>\n\tIn his nine games played since April 15, Wong has collected five hits, including two doubles, and five RBIs&#13;<br \/>\n\tWong registers a hard hit in 35.1 percent of his contacts&#13;<br \/>\n\tCaught a runner stealing against Detroit, his 10th\u00a0in the last two seasons&#13;<br \/>\n\tWent 1-for-3 with an RBI in his most recent game against Detroit on May 5&#13;<br \/>\n\tBoston is 15-21 on the season but is just 2.0 games out of a wild card spot&#13;<br \/>\n\t2026 MLB stat line: 14 G | 41 AB | 3 R | 10 H | 5 2B | 5 RBI | .244 AVG | .326 OBP | .366 SLG | .692 OPS&#13;<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<br \/>\nROBERT GASSER | MILWAUKEE ORG. | NASHVILLE SOUNDS | AAA<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n\tEarned two starts for Nashville since April 15, receiving no decision in either start&#13;<br \/>\n\tTossed 4.2 IP, allowing seven hits and two runs while striking out seven&#13;<br \/>\n\tIn his most recent start, threw 2.2 innings against Norfolk where he struck out five&#13;<br \/>\n\tNashville holds a 17-16 record, sitting 5.0 games out of first in the International League West&#13;<br \/>\n\tTabbed the 16th\u00a0best prospect (2nd\u00a0best LHP) in the Milwaukee system by\u00a0MLB.com&#13;<br \/>\n\t2026 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&#13;<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<br \/>\nNICK HERNANDEZ | ATHLETICS ORG. | LAS VEGAS AVIATORS | AAA<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n\tSince April 15, has made four appearances for Las Vegas, throwing 4.2 innings&#13;<br \/>\n\tTallied seven strikeouts with only two walks&#13;<br \/>\n\tLas Vegas holds a 18-14 record, leading the Pacific Coast West&#13;<br \/>\n\t2026 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&#13;<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<br \/>\nCOREY JULKS | DETROIT ORG. | TOLEDO MUD HENS | AAA<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n\tLeads Toledo with six homers, six multi-RBI games and 20 RBIs&#13;<br \/>\n\tRanks fourth on the team with nine multi-hit games&#13;<br \/>\n\tSits in 12th\u00a0in the International League with six homers and 19th\u00a0with 20 RBIs&#13;<br \/>\n\tToledo is 17-16 on the year, 5.0 games out of first in the International League West&#13;<br \/>\n\t2026 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&#13;<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<br \/>\nBEN SEARS | KANSAS CITY ORG. | OMAHA STORM CHASERS | AAA<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n\tHas solidified a role as a reliever or bullpen-day starter in Omaha&#13;<br \/>\n\tLeads Omaha pitchers with at least one start in first-pitch strike percentage (76.5 percent)&#13;<br \/>\n\tThrew two one-hit innings against Toledo on April 26&#13;<br \/>\n\tOmaha is 14-18 this season, 7.5 games out in the International League West&#13;<br \/>\n\t2026 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&#13;<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<br \/>\nPATRICK WEIGEL | COLORADO ORG. | ALBUQUERQUE ISOTOPES | AAA<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n\tMade four appearances since April 15, bringing his total to seven on the year&#13;<br \/>\n\tThrew three one-hit innings against El Paso where he struck out two&#13;<br \/>\n\tFanned five batters in 4.2 innings against Oklahoma City on April 16&#13;<br \/>\n\tAlbuquerque leads the Pacific Coast League East with a 19-15 record&#13;<br \/>\n\t2026 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&#13;<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<br \/>\nHAROLD COLL | LOS ANGELES (AL) ORG. | ROCKET CITY TRASH PANDAS | AA<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n\tRanks second in the Southern League in RBI (22)\u00a0&#13;<br \/>\n\tFrom April 21-26 in the series against Biloxi, Coll collected 10 RBIs, the fourth double-digit RBI series in Rocket City history&#13;<br \/>\n\tIn his most recent game on May 5, went 1-for-3 with a run scored, double and RBI against Pensacola&#13;<br \/>\n\tCollected three RBIs in three games against Biloxi as part of seven multi-RBI games this season&#13;<br \/>\n\tRocket City is 13-15 this year, 5.0 out of first in the Southern League North&#13;<br \/>\n\t2026 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&#13;<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<br \/>\nJAYCOB DEESE | PITTSBURGH ORG. | ALTOONA CURVE | AA<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n\tThrew two innings and struck out two to claim his first double-A win on May 1&#13;<br \/>\n\tOne of three pitchers in a shutout against Portland on April 18&#13;<br \/>\n\tThrew one inning as part of the shutout to earn the save&#13;<br \/>\n\tIn his most recent appearance on May 5, tossed 2.0 shutout innings while striking out four against Chesapeake\u00a0&#13;<br \/>\n\tAltoona is 9-18 this season&#13;<br \/>\n\t2026 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&#13;<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<br \/>\nCADE CITELLI | TAMPA BAY ORG. | BOWLING GREEN HOT RODS | HIGH-A<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n\tEarned first win of the season against Greenville, throwing two innings and allowing one hit&#13;<br \/>\n\tPicked up another win against Jersey Shore after tossing 1.1 shutout innings&#13;<br \/>\n\tBowling Green leads the South Atlantic League with a 17-10 record\u00a0&#13;<br \/>\n\t2026 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&#13;<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<br \/>\nCONNOR MCGINNIS | NEW YORK (AL) ORG. | HUDSON VALLEY RENEGADES | HIGH-A<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n\tPosted two hits in three games this season while adding a pair of walks&#13;<br \/>\n\tHudson Valley holds a 3-5 record and is three games back in the South Atlantic League&#13;<br \/>\n\t2026 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&#13;<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<br \/>\nANTOINE JEAN | COLORADO ORG. | SPOKANE INDIANS | HIGH-A<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n\tRemoved from his first career outing with an ACL injury which required surgery&#13;<br \/>\n\tWill miss remainder of 2026 season&#13;<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<br \/>\nRYAN DOLLAR | NEW YORK (NL) ORG. | ST. LUCIE METS | SINGLE-A<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n\tTossed one no-hit inning against Daytona Beach on April 18&#13;<br \/>\n\tThrew two scoreless innings against Tampa on May 1, striking out all six batters he faced&#13;<br \/>\n\tTossed another two scoreless innings, allowing just one hit against Lakeland&#13;<br \/>\n\tSt. Lucie is 13-15 this year, 3.0 games out in the Florida State League&#13;<br \/>\n\t2026 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&#13;<\/p>\n<p>SUPPORT THE COUGARS\u00a0<br \/>\nFans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Baseball by\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/app.uhcougars.com\/UH25PartnerWSA\" title=\"https:\/\/app.uhcougars.com\/UH25PartnerWSA\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">providing NIL opportunities<\/a>\u00a0and by\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/uhcougarpride.com\/membership-center\/giving-opportunities\/sport-specific-clubs\/dugout-club\/index.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">joining the Dugout Club<\/a>\u00a0which provides financial support directly to Houston Baseball for needs beyond its operating budget.<br \/>\n\u00a0<br \/>\nSTAY CONNECTED\u00a0\u00a0<br \/>\nFans can receive updates by following\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/UHCougarBB\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">@UHCougarBB<\/a>\u00a0on X, formerly known as Twitter, and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team&#8217;s Facebook page at\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/UHCougarBB\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Houston Cougar Baseball<\/a>. Fans can also follow the team on Instagram at\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/uhcougarbb\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">@uhcougarbb<\/a>.<br \/>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u2013 UHCougars.com \u2013<\/p>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"HOUSTON \u2013\u00a0Houston Baseball legend Josh Ekness made his MLB debut on May 3 with fellow former Cougar and&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":653996,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[558],"tags":[64,63,591,85],"class_list":["post-653995","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-mlb","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-mlb","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/653995","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=653995"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/653995\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/653996"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=653995"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=653995"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=653995"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}