5.1.23 - Vincent Blue, Rhett Kouba, Joe Thon, Aaron Brown

Hooks Baseball Podcast

(1:20) Hooks Development Coach Vincent Blue, a product of Lamar High School in Houston, is in his second season as a member of the Astros player development staff. Prior to joining the Hooks in 2023, Blue worked at Houston’s Single-A club in Fayetteville, N.C. Selected in the 10th round of the 2001 draft, Blue played outfield, primarily center, for parts of seven seasons in the Detroit Tigers system. A .261 career hitter, he also played five years in independent ball. (10:12) Hooks right-hander Rhett Kouba established a new personal best for strikeouts April 27 at Midland, breezing 10 batters while allowing only 2 to reach base. Devin Conn and Tyler Brown pitched in as CC authored the ninth one-hitter in the 18-year history of the club. Kouba’s 6.0 innings pitched matched his best from a year ago. The outing stands as the longest by a Hooks pitcher this season. Kouba, who picked up his first Double-A win, has combined for 16 strikeouts against 4 hits and no walks in 10.0 innings over his last 2 games. (14:07) Hooks Manager Joe Thon delivers his Sunday with the Skipper address as the Hooks wrap their six-game set in the Permian Basin. (20:00) As a bonus cut, CC right-hander Aaron Brown speaks about his latest home start - April 19 vs. San Antonio - when he fired five innings of one-run baseball, permitting only a pair to reach.