Astros Future Player of the Week: J.D. Davis
With just a couple of weeks remaining, the Corpus Christi Hooks are represented in the Astros Future Player of the Week. Hooks’ third baseman J.D. Davis takes the honor for the week of August 22nd – August 28th. Davis went 10-for-22 (.455), with seven runs scored, four doubles, three home runs, and six RBI for the week.
Davis was originally drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in the fifth round of the 2011 MLB draft, but decided to head off to Cal State Fullerton. The gamble that so many players drafted take paid off for the righty and he was selected three years later by the Astros in the third round of the 2014 draft.
His first professional season was split between the Tri-City ValleyCats and the Quad Cities River Bandits. He hit .293 combined with 13 home runs and 52 RBI in 73 games. Davis continued to show off his power last season with Single-A Advanced Lancaster JetHawks with 26 bombs. The natural progression of a minor leaguer continued this season with his promotion to Corpus Christi.
Davis’ batting average has dipped a little this season (.267) compared to his professional average to date (.281). He is slightly off pace in the home run department this season, but he does have 21 which is nothing to overlook. He is currently sitting in third place in that category in the Texas League.
J.D. is in the middle of a 12-game hitting streak that started back on August 16th. He has raised his average from .252 to .269 during that span and is helping the Hooks finish strong. Corpus Christi has just eight regular season games remaining.
Honorable Mentions
Drew Ferguson who won the Player of the Week last week continues his hot hitting for Corpus Christi. He went 8-for-21 this week (.381) adding a home run, three doubles, and four runs scored while driving in four of his own.
Lancaster’s Kyle Tucker enjoyed some success this past week hitting .368 (7-for-19) for the JetHawks. He hit for the weekly cycle with a double, triple, and home run to go along with his four singles.
Former Player of the Week Ronnie Dawson is not wanting us to forget about him. He hit .310 this week for the Tri-City ValleyCats with a home run, four RBI, and five runs scored.
It has been tough for Astros’ pitchers not being able to take the top spot for the week, but Fresno had two candidates this time around. James Hoyt (3.0 IP, H, 6 K, SV) and Cesar Valdez (8.0 IP, 5 H, BB, 12 K, W) were close but couldn’t take away the top spot from J.D. Davis this week.
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**Photo Credit: Tammy Tucker**