HOUSTON \u2013\u00a0Two 2026 Cougars made their professional debuts while Corey Julks is back in The Show as the season moves past the middle of August.
\n\u00a0
\nJOSH EKNESS | MIAMI ORG. | MIAMI MARLINS | MLB<\/p>\n
\n\tReturned from a stint on the 60-day IL with a calf injury on Aug. 5
\n\tHas five appearances on the mound so far in August
\n\tAllowed just one earned run across 5.2 innings of work while striking out three
\n\tPosted two shutout outings against Cincinnati with another against Atlanta
\n\tRanked as the #30 prospect in the Miami organization
\n\tHis fastball, which tops at 97.5 miles per hour, ranks in the 91st\u00a0percentile of pitchers
\n\tMiami is in third in the NL East with a 64-62 record, sitting three games out of a wild card spot
\n\t2026 MLB stat line: 1-1 | 1 Sv | 1.64 ERA | 11 app. | 11.0 IP | 8 H | 5 R | 2 ER | 7 BB | 8 SO | 1.36 WHIP
\n\t2026 minors stat line: 2-1 | 1 Sv | 3.86 ERA | 15 apps. | 21.0 IP | 16 H | 10 R | 9 ER | 6 BB | 33 SO | 1.05 WHIP
<\/p>\n
\u00a0
\nROBERT GASSER | MILWAUKEE ORG. | MILWAUKEE BREWERS | MLB<\/p>\n
\n\tEarned the start three times so far in August for Milwaukee
\n\tThrew five innings of one-run baseball against the Angels to open the month on Aug. 1
\n\tLimits opponents to an 86.8 average exit velocity, which ranks in the 87th\u00a0percentile of MLB pitchers
\n\tMilwaukee leads the NL Central with a 77-48 record, sitting with a 4.5 game lead over the Cubs
\n\t2026 MLB stat line: 3-5 | 4.54 ERA | 14 apps. | 14 starts | 73.1 IP | 72 H | 38 R | 37 ER | 19 BB | 68 SO | 1.24 WHIP
\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
<\/p>\n
\u00a0
\nCOREY JULKS | DETROIT ORG. | DETROIT TIGERS | MLB<\/p>\n
\n\tReturns to the major league level on Aug. 12 as Detroit selected his contract from Toledo
\n\tThe call-up marks his fourth season with time in MLB with his third different team
\n\tJulks ripped a double in his second game up with the Tigers against his old team in the White Sox
\n\tDetroit is second in the AL Central with a 61-64 record, just 4.5 games behind Chicago for the division lead
\n\t2026 MLB stat line: 2 G | 4 AB | 1 R | 1 H | 1 2B | .250 AVG | .250 OBP | .250 SLG | .500 OPS
\n\t2026 minors stat line: 87 G | 323 AB | 46 R | 88 H | 13 2B | 15 HR | 54 RBI | .272 AVG | .346 OBP | .452 SLG | .798 OPS
<\/p>\n
\u00a0
\nJOHN KING | MIAMI ORG. | MIAMI MARLINS | MLB\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n\tKing continues to be an effective reliever out of the bullpen for Miami
\n\tHas earned six appearances in August, including two perfect outings against the Mets and the Angels
\n\tHolds opponents to a .186 batting average with a 0.99 WHIP
\n\tMiami is in third in the NL East with a 64-62 record, sitting three games out of a wild card spot
\n\t2026 MLB stat line: 6-2 | 1 Sv. | 2.45 ERA | 44 apps. | 1 start | 44.0 IP | 23 H | 12 R | 12 ER | 12 BB | 32 SO | 0.79 WHIP
<\/p>\n
\u00a0
\nJARED TRIOLO | PITTSBURGH ORG. | PITTSBURGH PIRATES | MLB<\/p>\n
\n\tContinues to operate as an everyday starter for Pittsburgh
\n\tCollected three RBIs in a three-hit showing which included a homer against Miami on Aug. 13
\n\tWent 2-for-3 against the Mets with an RBI on Aug. 7
\n\tOne of the most disciplined hitters in the league, ranking in the 81st\u00a0percentile with a 24.7 chase rate
\n\tPittsburgh is 61-66 on the year but holds a +27 run differential
\n\t2026 MLB stat line: 90 G | 254 AB | 27 R | 61 H | 12 2B | 2 HR | 24 RBI | 9 SB | .240 AVG | .316 OBP | .311 SLG | .627 OPS
<\/p>\n
\u00a0
\nCONNOR WONG | BOSTON ORG. | BOSTON RED SOX | MLB<\/p>\n
\n\tContinues to serve as the Red Sox’s reserve catcher, earning eight starts so far in August
\n\tHit a three-run homer against Pittsburgh on Aug. 16
\n\tCollected six total bases with a homer and double against the White Sox on Aug. 6
\n\tBoston surged into third in the AL East, now holding a 67-58 record and holds a six-game lead for the second wild card spot
\n\t2026 MLB stat line: 62 G | 165 AB | 18 R | 41 H | 10 2B | 4 HR | 22 RBI | 3 SB | .248 AVG | .332 OBP | .382 SLG | .714 OPS
<\/p>\n
\u00a0
\nNICK HERNANDEZ | ATHLETICS ORG. | LAS VEGAS AVIATORS | TRIPLE-A<\/p>\n
\n\tEarned five relief appearances this month with Las Vegas, including a pair of shutout outings against Tacoma
\n\tLas Vegas was the First Half Champs of the Pacific Coast League with a 44-29 record\u00a0
\n\tThe Aviators sit in second in the PCL West for the second half with a 22-23 record
\n\t2026 minors stat line: 4-1 | 7.79 ERA | 32 apps. | 52.0 IP | 64 H | 48 R | 45 ER | 32 BB | 54 SO | 1.85 WHIP
<\/p>\n
\u00a0
\nBEN SEARS | KANSAS CITY ORG. | OMAHA STORM CHASERS | TRIPLE-A<\/p>\n
\n\tSears has continued a hot run of form on the mound entering August
\n\tThe 2022 draftee has allowed three runs in three appearances this month, boasting a 3.86 ERA in 7.0 IP
\n\tSits in a tie for 13th\u00a0in the International League with six wins on the year
\n\tThe Storm Chasers finished the first half with a 33-41 record
\n\tOmaha sits in third in the IL West in the second half, holding a 23-20 record, four games out of the league lead
\n\t2026 minors stat line: 6-2 | 4.55 ERA | 34 apps. | 10 starts | 61.1 IP | 65 H | 31 R | 31 ER | 23 BB | 52 SO | 1.43 WHIP
<\/p>\n
\u00a0
\nPATRICK WEIGEL | COLORADO ORG. | ALBUQUERQUE ISOTOPES | TRIPLE-A<\/p>\n
\n\tWeigel has made three appearances for Albuquerque this month, including a pair of starts
\n\tThrew 2.0 scoreless innings against Sugar Land on Aug. 6, allowing just one hit
\n\tAlbuquerque finished the first half with a 39-36 record, sitting in second in the Pacific Coast East
\n\tThe Isotopes hold a 22-23 record in the second half
\n\t2026 minors stat line: 0-2 | 6.81 ERA | 20 apps. | 6 starts | 35.2 IP | 39 H | 29 R | 27 ER | 24 BB | 34 SO | 1.77 WHIP
<\/p>\n
\u00a0
\nJAYCOB DEESE | PITTSBURGH ORG. | ALTOONA CURVE | DOUBLE-A<\/p>\n
\n\tAfter a slow start to the year, Deese has settled in, lowering his season ERA in every appearance since July 1
\n\tThrew seven consecutive appearances without allowing an earned run from July 18 to Aug. 9
\n\tEarned the win against Chesapeake on Aug. 2 with 2.0 one-hit innings
\n\tSo far in August, holds a 1-0 record with a 1.13 ERA in four appearances and 8.0 innings while striking out 11
\n\tAltoona is 18-26 in the second half and finished 31-38 in the first half
\n\t2026 minors stat line: 3-3 | 7.22 ERA | 32 apps. | 52.1 IP | 62 H | 47 R | 42 ER | 26 BB | 43 SO | 1.68 WHIP
<\/p>\n
\u00a0
\nCONNOR MCGINNIS | NEW YORK (AL) ORG. | SOMERSET PATRIOTS | DOUBLE-A<\/p>\n
\n\tMcGinnis is continuing his success with Somerset after being called up on May 30
\n\tThe 2025 draftee has collected 34 RBIs with the Double-A affiliate of the Yankees
\n\tHit a two-run homer against Akron on Aug. 6
\n\tCrushed a grand slam to give Somerset the win over New Hampshire on Aug. 12
\n\tThe Patriots nearly won the first half EL divisional championship, ending 2.5 games back with a 37-32 record
\n\tThe Double-A squad now holds a 23-22 record in the second half, 2.5 games back of first
\n\t2026 minors stat line: 88 G | 302 AB | 44 R | 74 H | 14 2B | 1 3B | 9 HR | 38 RBI | .245 AVG | .336 OBP | .387 SLG | .723 OPS
<\/p>\n
\u00a0
\nCADE CITELLI | TAMPA BAY ORG. | BOWLING GREEN HOT RODS | HIGH-A<\/p>\n
\n\tIn four appearances in August, Citelli has tossed 6.1 innings with a 1.42 ERA and a 1-1 record
\n\tRanks eighth in the South Atlantic League with six wins on the year
\n\tHelped Bowling Green win the South Atlantic League First Half Championship with a 47-18 record, 5.5 games in front of the second-place team
\n\tThe Hot Rods has stayed hot so far in the second half, leading the league with a 28-19 record\u00a0
\n\t2026 minors stat line: 6-1 | 1 Sv | 4.46 ERA | 26 apps. | 34.1 IP | 31 H | 20 R | 17 ER | 20 BB | 33 SO | 1.49 WHIP
<\/p>\n
\u00a0
\nHAROLD COLL | LOS ANGELES (AL) ORG. | TRI-CITY DUST DEVILS | HIGH-A<\/p>\n
\n\tStarted 2026 with Double-A Rocket City, but was assigned to High-A Tri-City on June 23
\n\tDespite playing in High A Tri-City for just under two months, Coll ranks 26th\u00a0in the league with 10 homers
\n\tSits in second in the Northwest League with four home runs in August
\n\tTri-City holds a 21-27 record in the second half and finished second in the Northwest League in the first half with a 35-31 record
\n\t2026 minors stat line: 102 G | 353 AB | 49 R | 69 H | 14 2B | 2 3B | 13 HR | 55 RBI | .195 AVG | .309 OBP | .357 SLG | .666 OPS
<\/p>\n
\u00a0
\nRYAN DOLLAR | NEW YORK (NL) ORG. | BROOKLYN CYCLONES | HIGH-A<\/p>\n
\n\tEarned a permanent call-up to High-A Brooklyn on May 19
\n\tIn four appearances in August, amassed a 2.08 ERA in 4.1 innings of work while holding opponents to a .154 batting average
\n\tBrooklyn holds a 24-23 in the second half, sitting five games back of first\u00a0
\n\t2026 minors stat line: 2-2 | 3 Sv. | 3.29 ERA | 35 apps. | 41.0 IP | 26 H | 18 R | 15 ER | 28 BB | 55 SO | 1.32 WHIP
<\/p>\n
\u00a0
\nANTOINE JEAN | COLORADO ORG. | SPOKANE INDIANS | HIGH-A<\/p>\n
\n\tRemoved from his first career outing with an ACL injury which required surgery
\n\tWill miss remainder of 2026 season
<\/p>\n
\u00a0
\nOWEN WOODWARD | NEW YORK (NL) ORG. | BROOKLYN CYCLONES | HIGH-A | 60-DAY IL (REHAB)<\/p>\n
\n\tWoodward continues a rehab assignment with Single-A St. Lucie after missing most of 2025 with an injury
\n\tIn two appearances in August, Woodward has thrown three innings while striking out three
\n\t2026 minors stat line: 0-0 | 10.80 ERA | 4 apps. | 4 starts | 5.0 IP | 6 H | 6 R | 6 ER | 2 BB | 6 SO | 1.60 WHIP
<\/p>\n
\u00a0
\nCADE CLIMIE | PHILADELPHIA ORG. | CLEARWATER THRESHERS | SINGLE-A<\/p>\n
\n\tEarned first minor-league call-up on Aug. 4 and made his professional debut on Aug. 5
\n\tPicked up his first MiLB RBI on Aug. 7 as part of a doubleheader against Tampa
\n\tWent 2-for-4 with his first minor league hit on Aug. 12
\n\t202 minors stat line: 10 G | 26 AB | 3 H | 5 RBI | .115 AVG | .143 OBP | .115 SLG | .258 OPS
<\/p>\n
\u00a0
\nCARSTEN SABATHIA III | MILWAUKEE ORG. | WILSON WARBIRDS | SINGLE-A<\/p>\n
\n\tEarned his call-up to Single-A Wilson on Aug. 11 after being selected in the 20th\u00a0Round of the 2026 Draft
\n\tIn five appearances, he’s already collected his first hit, RBI and homer
\n\tWent 2-for-4 in his minor league debut on Aug. 11 while driving home a run
\n\tHit first professional homer as part of a three-hit performance on Aug. 16
\n\t2026 minors stat line: 5 G | 20 AB | 3 R | 9 H | 1 2B | 1 HR | 5 RBI | .450 AVG | .500 OBP | .650 SLG | 1.150 OPS
<\/p>\n
\u00a0 SUPPORT THE COUGARS\u00a0 \u2013 UHCougars.com \u2013<\/p>\n
\n2026 DRAFTEES
\nFour of Houston’s 2026 MLB Draft Class \u2013 Tre Broussard<\/a>, Ryne Rodriguez<\/a>, Richie Roman<\/a> and Alex Solis<\/a> \u2013 along with free-agent signee Tyler Bryan<\/a> were assigned to their respective organization’s Complex League team after signing their first professional contract. The Complex Leagues had completed competition prior to the draft.<\/p>\n
\nFans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Baseball by\u00a0providing NIL opportunities<\/a>\u00a0and by\u00a0buying 2027 Season Tickets.<\/a>
\n\u00a0
\nSTAY CONNECTED\u00a0\u00a0
\nFans can receive updates by following\u00a0@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’s Facebook page at\u00a0Houston Cougar Baseball<\/a>. Fans can also follow the team on Instagram at\u00a0@uhcougarbb<\/a>.
\n\u00a0
\n<\/p>\n