Scouting Report

Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 40 | Slider: 50 | Cutter: 50 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 50 | Overall: 45

After Pecko didn't pitch as a Pennsylvania high school senior in 2020 (pandemic) or in his first year at La Salle (Tommy John surgery), the Explorers dropped their baseball program. He transferred to Towson, became a sixth-round pick in 2023 and won the Astros' Minor League Pitcher of the Year Award during his first full pro season. A strained forearm cost him the first two months of the 2025 season, but he rallied to post a 3.09 ERA and 48 strikeouts in 35 Triple-A innings at the end of the year.

Pecko had added 3 mph to his fastball since turning pro, and it now operates at 93-95 and touches 98 with a flat approach angle and carry that help it miss bats. He bagged a sweeping slider in favor of a tighter low-80s version that can be a solid offering at times, and he also utilizes an upper-80s cutter. His 79-82 mph curveball regressed last year, when he also had difficulty landing his fading upper-80s changeup for strikes.

Pecko creates deception with a low three-quarters arm slot and good extension in his delivery. His strength and agility help him repeat his mechanics and locate his pitches where he wants. He's on the verge of helping Houston and could become a No. 4 starter if he can refine his secondary offerings.

Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 50 | Cutter: 50 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 50 | Overall: 45

Pecko lost his Pennsylvania senior high school season to the pandemic in 2020 and his first year at La Salle to Tommy John surgery in 2021. The Explorers dropped baseball before he could pitch for them, so he transferred to Towson and blossomed into a sixth-round pick in 2023. He won the Astros' Minor League pitcher of the year award in his first full pro season, compiling a 3.47 ERA, .219 opponent average and 125 strikeouts in 96 innings while rising from Single-A to Double-A.

Since turning pro, Pecko has added 2 mph to his best pitch, a 92-94 mph fastball that touches 96 and misses bats thanks to its flat approach angle and carry. He has replaced a sweeping slider with a tighter low-80s version that he also can turn into an upper-80s cutter, both of which are average offerings with the potential to get better. His 78-82 mph curveball and mid-80s changeup offer more depth, but both grade as fringy.

Pecko gains deception with a low three-quarters arm slot and the extension in his delivery. Strong and athletic, he repeats his mechanics well and improved his control and command as he rose through the system in 2024. He's a potential No. 4 starter if he can execute his spin pitches better and develop a second better-than-average weapon.

Scouting grades: Fastball: 50 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 45 | Overall: 40

After losing his Pennsylvania senior high school season to the pandemic in 2020, Pecko needed Tommy John surgery after he arrived at La Salle, costing him all of 2021. The Explorers dropped baseball afterward, leading him to transfer to Towson, where he blossomed into a sixth-round pick in 2023. He has opened eyes with his ability to miss bats at two Class A stops in his first full pro season.

Pecko has a full arsenal highlighted by a low-80s slider with horizontal and vertical movement, and he also can turn it into a tight cutter that reaches the upper 80s. His fastball parks at 92-93 mph and peaks at 95, yet plays better than its velocity thanks to its carry from a flat approach angle. He also employs an upper-70s curveball and a fading mid-80s changeup but doesn't land them for strikes consistently.

Pecko has fringy-to-average control and ran into command issues after his promotion to High-A. While he can get outs with his fastball, slider and cutter, he's not overpowering and must locate them well to succeed. He's athletic, strong and his delivery is fairly clean, so he should be able to place his pitches better as he gains more experience.

Awards

CAR Pitcher of the Month

Month	Team
05/2024

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	03/05/2026	RHP Ethan Pecko assigned to Houston Astros Prospects.
	08/05/2025	RHP Ethan Pecko assigned to Sugar Land Space Cowboys from Corpus Christi Hooks.
	05/20/2025	Corpus Christi Hooks sent RHP Ethan Pecko on a rehab assignment to FCL Astros.
	04/10/2025	Corpus Christi Hooks placed RHP Ethan Pecko on the 7-day injured list.
	03/06/2025	activated RHP Ethan Pecko.
	09/24/2024	Corpus Christi Hooks activated RHP Ethan Pecko.
	09/07/2024	Corpus Christi Hooks transferred RHP Ethan Pecko to the Development List.
	07/29/2024	RHP Ethan Pecko assigned to Corpus Christi Hooks from Asheville Tourists.
	06/18/2024	RHP Ethan Pecko assigned to Asheville Tourists from Fayetteville Woodpeckers.
	06/18/2024	Asheville Tourists activated RHP Ethan Pecko.
	04/04/2024	RHP Ethan Pecko assigned to Fayetteville Woodpeckers from FCL Astros.
	09/06/2023	RHP Ethan Pecko assigned to FCL Astros from Fayetteville Woodpeckers.
	08/15/2023	RHP Ethan Pecko assigned to Fayetteville Woodpeckers from FCL Astros.
	08/01/2023	RHP Ethan Pecko assigned to FCL Astros.
	07/15/2023	Houston Astros signed RHP Ethan Pecko.