Houston Pro Trio Hits Diamond This Fall
10/13/2020 4:06:00 PM | Baseball
Cougar products to take part in instructional league action
HOUSTON – Three former University of Houston Baseball standouts have been invited to participate in their respective Major League organization's instructional league this fall.
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Jared Triolo (Pittsburgh Pirates), Fred Villarreal (Seattle Mariners) and Connor Wong (Boston Red Sox) will participate in the mini-camp, providing Minor Leaguers the opportunity to see game action and in-person development reps for the first time this year.
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Triolo was a third-round draft selection in 2019. In his first year on the scene, the Austin native batted .239, logging 56 hits in 60 games with the Class-A Short Season West Virginia Black Bears. He also added 34 RBIs and 30 runs.
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The 2019 American Athletic Conference honoree and Don Sanders Cup MVP batted .332 in his final year with the program, adding 44 RBIs and 46 runs scored. In 2018, he reached base in all but three games while playing in all 63 contests.
Villarreal, who was selected in the 25th round of the 2019 MLB Draft, limited opponents to a .237 average in 14.0 innings during 2019. Thr Brownsville, Texas, native tossed 12.2 innings with the Class-A Short Season Everett AquaSox during 2019.
The 2019 All-American Athletic Conference honoree posted a 5-4 record with 10 saves and a league-best 2.29 ERA across 33 appearances out of the bullpen as a junior. While doing so, Villarreal helped Houston pace the conference in ERA and opponent batting average.
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Wong, who turned 24 in May, was acquired by the Red Sox on Feb. 10. During 2019, the catcher logged 55 extra-base hits (24 home runs, 24 doubles and seven triples) across 111 games (70 High-A games and 41 Double-A games).
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The two-time All-American Athletic Conference honoree helped Houston to a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances. As junior, the Houston native became the first Cougar since 2008 to notch 10-plus home runs and 20-plus stolen bases in a single season.
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Follow Houston Baseball on Twitter and Instagram at @UHCougarBB, and "Like" Houston Cougar Baseball on Facebook.
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Jared Triolo (Pittsburgh Pirates), Fred Villarreal (Seattle Mariners) and Connor Wong (Boston Red Sox) will participate in the mini-camp, providing Minor Leaguers the opportunity to see game action and in-person development reps for the first time this year.
Â
Triolo was a third-round draft selection in 2019. In his first year on the scene, the Austin native batted .239, logging 56 hits in 60 games with the Class-A Short Season West Virginia Black Bears. He also added 34 RBIs and 30 runs.
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The 2019 American Athletic Conference honoree and Don Sanders Cup MVP batted .332 in his final year with the program, adding 44 RBIs and 46 runs scored. In 2018, he reached base in all but three games while playing in all 63 contests.
Villarreal, who was selected in the 25th round of the 2019 MLB Draft, limited opponents to a .237 average in 14.0 innings during 2019. Thr Brownsville, Texas, native tossed 12.2 innings with the Class-A Short Season Everett AquaSox during 2019.
The 2019 All-American Athletic Conference honoree posted a 5-4 record with 10 saves and a league-best 2.29 ERA across 33 appearances out of the bullpen as a junior. While doing so, Villarreal helped Houston pace the conference in ERA and opponent batting average.
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Wong, who turned 24 in May, was acquired by the Red Sox on Feb. 10. During 2019, the catcher logged 55 extra-base hits (24 home runs, 24 doubles and seven triples) across 111 games (70 High-A games and 41 Double-A games).
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The two-time All-American Athletic Conference honoree helped Houston to a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances. As junior, the Houston native became the first Cougar since 2008 to notch 10-plus home runs and 20-plus stolen bases in a single season.
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STAY CONNECTED
Follow Houston Baseball on Twitter and Instagram at @UHCougarBB, and "Like" Houston Cougar Baseball on Facebook.
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