Houston Astros MiLB Players Of The Month: July
Let’s take a look at the best performances in the Astros system in July.
*Just a note, these are my picks for the month*
Previous POTM:
AAA: Round Rock Express
HITTER: Jack Mayfield, IF
- July Stats: 26 G, .296 BA/.349 OBP/.602 SLG, 9 2B, 7 HR, 18 RBI, 4 SB
Mayfield has had a solid season, including some time with the big league club, and really put together a nice July. Overall he had a .951 OPS in 26 games and a 119 wRC+. He is now up to 24 2B and 20 HR in 74 AAA games this season. Rojas would have likely been chosen if he wasn’t traded.
PITCHER: Kent Emanuel, LHP
- July Stats: 6 G, 0.31 ERA, 29.1 IP, 20 H, 1 ER, 6 BB, 23 SO
This was a tough one. Some really good performances, which I’ll highlight below. But I chose Emanuel based on the insane ERA over 29 innings. He allowed just 1 ER in 23 innings, good for a 0.31 ERA. He struggled some early in the season but he looks like he is back on track now and could find a role as a lefty out of the pen.
Honorable Mention: Brendan McCurry (0.00 ERA, 14.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 20 ); Brandon Bielak (2.42 ERA, 26 IP, 24 K); Framber Valdez (2.21 ERA, 20.1 IP, 34 K)
AA: Corpus Christi Hooks
HITTER: Abraham Toro, 3B
- July Stats: 26 G, .364 BA/.424 OBP/.589 SLG, 11 2B, 2 3B, 3 HR, 15 RBI
Toro has experienced a breakout 2019 season that has seen him flying up the prospect rankings. He finished AA off strong hitting .364 with 1.013 OPS and a 181 wRC+ before being promoted to AAA. Overall he had a .906 OPS with 22 2B, 16 HR, 70 RBI in AA this season.
PITCHER: Cristian Javier, RHP
- July Stats: 6 G, 2.25 ERA, 20.0 IP, 8 H, 5 ER, 14 BB, 38 SO, .114 BAA
Like Toro, Javier has also had a breakout 2019 season. His numbers have been consistent with past years but doing it at AA is really improving his stock. In July he had a 2.25 ERA (1.92 FIP) while striking out 38 in 20 innings (17.1 K/9). If he finds a way to lower the walks a bit, his stock will really soar,
A+: Fayetteville Woodpeckers
HITTER: Jeremy Pena, SS
- July Stats: 23 G, .352 BA/.376 OBP/.591 SLG, 9 2B, 3 3B, 2 HR, 11 RBI, 3 SB
Really great season thus far for Pena. After a slow start, he finished strong in Quad Cities earning a promotion to High-A, where he got even better. In July he had hit .352 with .933 OPS and 14 XBHs in 23 games, good for a 174 wRC+. Another breakout prospect in the system this year.
PITCHER: Brett Conine, RHP
- July Stats: 5 G, 2.33 ERA, 19.1 IP, 15 H, 5 ER, 8 BB, 28 K, .224 BAA
I feel like a broken record saying this, but another breakout prospect this year. After making quick work of Quad Cities, Conine was promoted to High-A where he has continued to put up good numbers. In July he had a 2.33 ERA (1.90 FIP) with 28 K in 19.1 innings. Overall he has 21 BB/116 K in 91.1 innings this season.
Honorable Mention: Jojanse Torres, RHP (1.98 ERA, 28.0 IP, 10 BB/29 K)
A: Quad Cities River Bandits
HITTER: Cesar Salazar, C
- July Stats: 21 G, .333 BA/.395 OBP/.458 SLG, 7 2B, 1 3B, 11 RBI
Salazar has been a little up and down this year but July was definitely an up month for him. He finished the month hitting .333 with .853 OPS, good for a 147 wRC+. Having a catcher hit like this is nice to see in the Astros system, and he needs to keep it up with Perry and Lee coming up behind him.
PITCHER: Brett Daniels, RHP
- July Stats: 5 G, 1.05 ERA, 25.2 IP, 20 H, 3 ER, 9 BB, 20 K, .217 BAA
Back to back to back nice months for Daniels. After a 0.84 ERA in May and a 1.90 ERA in June, he posted a 1.05 ERA (2.96 FIP) in 25.2 innings in July. Overall he has a 1.87 ERA with 81 K in 82 innings for Quad Cities this season.
Honorable Mention: Felipe Tejada (1.65 ERA, 27.1 IP, 30 K)
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**Photo Credit: Tammy Tucker**
