HOUSTON - Former Centenary pitcher James Hoyt (2008-10) has been called up from Triple-A to join the MLB's Houston Astros, in a report released by the Astros Wednesday, August 3.
"Jimmy Hoyt is one of my all-time favorite guys to come through our program. He has a story they could make a movie about," explained Gents Baseball Coach Mike Diaz. "I'm so proud of him and can't wait to go down to Houston and watch him in a big league uniform."
A Pacific Coast League (PCL) All-Star for the Fresno Grizzlies this summer, Hoyt easily leads the league with 28 saves (nine more than the next-best player in the league). His 1.62 ERA is the second-best in the PCL among pitchers who have at least 50 innings of work.
Since June 12, Hoyt has converted 17-of-18 save opportunities in 19 appearances. In 20.1 innings of work in that period, he has allowed only three runs (two earned) with more than half of his outs having been by strikeout (32-of-61). In his only two appearances without a save, he tallied the win against Reno on July 9 and entered into a non-save situation at Reno (The Grizzlies scored a run in the top of the ninth to extend the lead to 7-3).
For the year, Hoyt is 4-3 with 28 saves in 45 appearances. He ranks 16th overall with 84 strikeouts, leading all relievers in the PCL. Hoyt averages 15.12 strikeouts per nine innings, having struck out 56 percent of all outs recorded in 2016.
With Hoyt's call up to the big leagues, it is the first time two former Gents played in the MLB in the same season.
