32 April 2022
e Woodpeckers finished 55-65 overall in
the Low A East-Central Division a year ago, but
hope to improve upon that in 2022 with first-year
manager Jon on and a new crop of big-league
hopefuls arriving in town. on, the son of
former major league infielder Dickie on, served
as Fayetteville's developmental coach last season.
Several of Houston's top minor league
prospects are expected to join on at some point
this season in Fayetteville, including outfielder
Tyler Whitaker, pitcher Alex Santos and
shortstop Christian Gonzalez.
Gonzalez and Santos both spent the last
two months of the 2021 season with the
Woodpeckers. Gonzalez, Houston's No.
14-ranked prospect, hit .244 with two homers
and 14 RBIs in 30 games, while Santos was 2-2
with a 3.46 earned run average in 12 appearances.
Santos is Houston's No. 8 prospect.
Whitaker, No. 6 among Houston's minor
league prospects, was a third-round pick in
last year's amateur draft out of Bishop Gorman
High in Las Vegas. The 19-year-old hit .202
with three homers and six R BIs in 29 games
during his pro debut with Houston's rookie
league affiliate last summer.
Jake Meyers
Seth Beer
