Houston Astros MiLB Players Of The Month: August
Let’s take a look at the best performances in the Astros system in August.
*Just a note, these are my picks for the month*
Previous POTM:
AAA: Round Rock Express
HITTER: Nick Tanielu, IF
- August Stats: 27 G, .384 BA/.450 OBP/.768 SLG, 14 2B, 8 HR, 28 RBI, 1 BB/11 SO
Tanielu started the season slowing hitting .276 with .810 OPS in the first half, but has turned it around hitting .327 with .999 OPS in the second half. In August he hit .384 with 14 2B, 8 HR, 28 RBI and a 186 wRC+.
PITCHER: Cristian Javier, RHP
- August Stats: 5 G, 1.13 ERA, 24.0 IP, 10 H, 3 ER, 9 BB, 42 SO, 15.8 K/9
Only two of these outings were with Round Rock but it was too good to pass up. In those 2 games he struck out 16 over 11 innings with a 1.64 ERA. Overall for the month he had 42 K in 24 innings with a 1.13 ERA.
AA: Corpus Christi Hooks
HITTER: Jake Adams, 1B
- August Stats: 25 G, .275 BA/.320 OBP/.560 SLG, 5 2B, 7 HR, 21 RBI
Adams has seen an uptick in production since him promotion to AA. He in 25 games in August he had 7 HR, 21 RBI while posting a .880 OPS. This was greatly needed on a Hooks team that was struggling. He now has 22 HR this season.
PITCHER: Chad Donato, RHP
- August Stats: 6 G, 3.38 ERA, 26.2 IP, 21 H, 10 ER, 11 BB, 33 SO, .212 BAA
Donato’s numbers in High-A didn’t look great on the surface but a promotion to AA was all he needed. After a good July, he followed that up posting a 3.38 ERA with 33 K in 26.2 innings for the Hooks in August.
A+: Fayetteville Woodpeckers
HITTER: David Hensley, 3B
- August Stats: 26 G, .341 BA/.393 OBP/.453 SLG, 11 2B, 18 RBI
After struggling a bit in July, Hensley was promoted to High-A where he dominated in August. In 26 game she hit .341 while driving in 18 runs and collecting 11 doubles.
PITCHER: Luis Garcia, RHP
- August Stats: 5 G, 2.25 ERA, 24.0 IP, 10 H, 6 ER, 11 BB, 44 K, 46.8 K%
Truly dominant month of August for Garcia. Not only did he hold hitters to a .123 BAA, he struck out 46.8% of the hitters he faced in 24 innings in August. Overall he now has 168 K in 108.2 innings this season.
Honorable Mention: Jojanse Torres, RHP (1.98 ERA, 28.0 IP, 10 BB/29 K)
A: Quad Cities River Bandits
HITTER: C.J. Stubbs, C
- August Stats: 14 G, .286 BA/.340 OBP/.551 SLG, 4 2B, 3 HR, 12 RBI
Overall it was a slow month for hitters in Quad Cities, but Stubbs stood out. He only played in 14 games but drove in 12 runs and posted a 155 wRC+ in August for the River Bandits.
PITCHER: Jose Rivera, RHP
- August Stats: 5 G, 1.35 ERA, 20.0 IP, 9 H, 3 ER, 10 BB, 31 K, .138 BAA
Great month for River who has gotten better each month of the season. He finished August allowing just a .138 BAA against while striking out 31 in 20 innings. The 22 year old owns 95 K in 75.2 innings this season.
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**Photo Credit: Round Rock Express**