Matt Albers is First ValleyCat to Ever Make the Majors

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Matt Albers is First ValleyCat to Ever Make the Majors
07/20/2006 10:05 PM ET
Tri-City ValleyCats

TROY, NY - The Houston Astros have announced that the club has recalled former Tri-City ValleyCats pitcher Matt Albers. Albers is the first ever ValleyCats player to reach the Major League level.
"Here's a kid who's at the top of the league in ERA in the Texas League, top of the league in wins," said Astros General Manager Tim Purpura. "His pitching makeup is what will allow him to go to the bullpen and help us out. His arm bounces back really, really good. He can go 100 pitches and then feel hardly anything the next day."
Albers pitched for the ValleyCats in the 2003 season. He had a record 5-4 record with an ERA of 2.92 for the 'Cats. Albers led the New York-Penn League in strike outs (94) and ranked second in innings (86.1). Since pitching for the 'Cats Albers has worked his way through the Astros system pitching for Lexington (A) in 2004, Salem (A) in 2005 and Corpus Christi (AA) this season.
Albers, 23, is 10-2 with a 2.17 ERA in 19 starts for Double A Corpus Christi this year. Albers currently leads the Texas League in wins (10) and ERA (2.17), and he ranks third in the league with 95 strikeouts. He has allowed 28 earned runs over 116.0 innings. In 2005, the Sugar Land native led Salem and ranked fourth in the Carolina League with 146 strikeouts.
The ValleyCats will retire Albers' former 'Cats number 21 during a pre-game ceremony on Tuesday, July 25.
Currently wearing number 21, ValleyCats infielder, Tim Torres has agreed to make the change. Albers will be in uniform in time for the Astros' opener at Shea Stadium on Friday.
Tickets are still available for the game by calling (518) 629-CATS, stopping by the Joe Bruno Stadium Box Office or by logging on to www.tcvalleycats.com.
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.