Paved a unique path on his way to a college and eventually professional baseball, spending his prep career with the Carolina Royals, labeled an "alternative baseball program" based out of his hometown in Charlotte, N.C...The program was originally intended for homeschooled students, but eventually opened up to students of all backgrounds...Gusto elected to play for the Carolina Royals after being passed on for the varsity roster at Providence High School in Charlotte, where he graduated...Was recruited mostly as an outfielder by colleges but wanted to remain a pitcher, eventually getting that opportunity with Broward College (Weston, Fla.), thanks in part to their head coach, Ben Bizier...Following Gusto's freshman season, Bizier was named the head coach of Florida Southwestern College (Cypress Lake, Fla.), and Gusto elected to follow for his sophomore campaign...Gusto went 7-2 with a 2.88 ERA though 18 games in his lone season at Florida Southwestern and won the Suncoast Conference Pitcher of the Year, becoming the first player in the program's history to win the award...Selected by the Astros in the 11th round of the June 2019 draft...Signed by Astros scout Charlie Gonzalez...At the time, was the highest-selected draft pick in Florida Southwestern history...Would become the second player in Florida Southwestern history to appear in the Majors with his MLB debut, joining Brewers RHP Carlos Rodriguez, who made his big league debut in 2024...Has accrued exactly one day of MLB service time, which came on the final day of the 2024 regular season...Gusto had his contract selected from Triple-A Sugar Land on Sept. 29 and was slated to make his MLB debut that day in the Astros' regular season finale in Cleveland...However, the game was cancelled due to inclement weather, so while he has one day of big league service time, he's still awaiting his MLB debut...Received his first invite to Major League Spring Training this year...Is under a one-year contract for the 2025 season...Made two scoreless appearances as a Minor League call-up during 2024 Major League Spring Training, tossing 4.0 scoreless with 10 strikeouts while allowing just two hits and two walks.
2024
Had a breakout 2024 season, spending the entire year with Triple-A Sugar Land and winning the Pacific Coast League's ERA title after going 8-6 with a 3.70 ERA (61 ER/148.1 IP) in 29 games (26 starts)…Set the Space Cowboys' single-season record with 141 strikeouts...Along with the ERA title, ranked first among PCL pitchers in strikeouts, second in opponents' batting average (.242), second in WHIP (1.27) and second in innings pitched (148.1)…Had his contract selected by the Astros on Sept. 29 and was scheduled to make his MLB debut with a start in the team's regular-season finale that day at Cleveland, but the game was eventually cancelled due to inclement weather...Was named a PCL All-Star, PCL Pitcher of the Month (July) and PCL Pitcher of the Week (July 30-Aug. 4) as part of his breakout campaign...Went 3-1 with a 1.15 ERA (four ER/31.1 IP), 0.80 WHIP and .168 opponents' batting average through five starts in July, also earning Astros Upper Level Minor League Player of the Month honors...Posted a 2.08 ERA (25 ER/108 IP) over his final 18 games (17 starts) of the season.
2023
Was promoted to Double-A Corpus Christi in June of 2023 and went 5-2 with a 2.93 ERA (20 ER/61.1 IP) in 14 games (eight starts) with the Hooks...Among Texas League pitchers with at least 60 innings, ranked fifth in ERA...Was twice named Texas League Pitcher of the Week (July 9 and Aug. 13)...Began the year with High A Asheville, going 2-2 with a 6.47 ERA (35 ER/48.2 IP) in 12 games (six starts).
2022
Began the 2022 season with Low A Fayetteville (five games) but spent the bulk of his year with High A Asheville (18 games), going a combined 6-5 with a 5.50 ERA (55 ER/90 IP) in 23 games (13 starts).
2021
Missed the entire 2021 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery.
2020
Did not appear in a regular season game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the Minor League season.
2019
Made his pro debut in 2019, appearing in three games with Short-Season Tri-City and the Astros' Gulf Coast League affiliate while going a combined 0-1 with a 1.84 ERA (three ER/14.2 IP).
