Houston Astros' Sara Goodrum gives update on club's farm system in 2023
The development of players in the Houston Astros farm system has been in the spotlight even more in 2023 than it has in recent years with the number of injuries the reigning World Series champions have had to weather this season.
But players including Corey Julks, Cesar Salazar, J.P. France, Brandon Bielak and Grae Kessinger — names familiar to the Coastal Bend due to their recent stints with the Hooks — have been ready when they have been called on by the Astros this season, helping the team stay in the race in the American League West.
Sara Goodrum, the Astros' second-year Director of Player Development, who was in Corpus Christi on Saturday taking part in the Hooks' Coastal Bend Women of Sports Panel Event at Brewster Street Ice House, said she is excited about the young players making their way through the club's system.
"There are a lot of exciting young players in the system," Goodrum said. "We just went through the 2023 draft as well. Our scouting department did a great job. We are really excited about the up-and-coming talent we have coming through the system right now.
"It has been really exciting seeing Grae Kessinger making his debut. Cesar Salazar made the opening day roster. Corey Julks. J.P. France. Brandon Bielak. The list goes on and on and overall I'm proud to support those guys that have worked incredibly hard to be ready for those opportunities when they come up."
Goodrum said she is pleased with the progression 2022 top draft pick Drew Gilbert has shown in 2023. Gilbert is ranked as the Astros' top prospect and joined the Hooks midway through this season.
Gilbert is hitting .270 with 11 home runs and 33 RBI, splitting time between High-A Asheville and the Hooks this season after being drafted in the first round in 2022.
"Drew has been doing great going through his first year of professional baseball. I think it has been a really good year for him overall from the development standpoint," Goodrum said.
Goodrum was appreciative of the opportunity to participate in the panel, organized by the Hooks, which included coaches from Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and Texas A&M-Kingsville, orthopedic surgeon Dr. April Hallquist, Team USA baseball player Valerie Perez, sports psychologist Dominique Salinas and Goodrum and is excited about the rest of the season.
"I am grateful for the people I work with, the people that have supported me," Goodrum said. "It takes a village to do a lot of things. There are so many people behind the scenes working for the players. It has been really great and more than anything I'm enjoying the season right now."
More: 'There's nowhere we'd rather be': Hooks fans celebrate Fourth of July at Whataburger Field
This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Houston Astros' Sara Goodrum excited about talent in farm system
