Let’s take a look at the best performances in the Astros system in April.
*Just a note, these are my picks for the month*
AAA: Sugar Land Space Cowboys
HITTER: David Hensley, INF
- April Stats: 21 G, .292 BA/.422 OBP/.472 SLG, 3 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 5 SB, 134 wRC+
Hensley is off a great start building on his solid 2021 season. He was a 26th round pick in 2018 and has already shown his worth playing all over the infield. In the month of May, he had 7 XBH, drew 17 walks and had a teaming leading .422 OBP. Hopefully he will get a chance for a call-up this season.
David Hensley (@david__hensley) crushed this ball for his first HR of the season! #Astros pic.twitter.com/li1wm5TWVy
— Astros Future (@AstrosFuture) April 10, 2022
PITCHER: Hunter Brown, RHP
- April Stats: 4 G, 3.00 ERA, 18.0 IP, 15 H, 6 ER, 10 BB, 26 SO, 32.9 K%
Brown is the Astros top pitching prospect and he has shown why in April. While he did walk 10, he struck out 26 in 18 innings and allowed just 15 hits. He has ran it up to 99 MPH this season already and has a chance to make his big league debut this summer.
Hunter Brown (@xhunterbrownx) struck out 8 over 5 innings tonight for Sugar Land! #Astros pic.twitter.com/YWUwWjf7qz
— Astros Future (@AstrosFuture) April 21, 2022
AA: Corpus Christi Hooks
HITTER: Enmanuel Valdez, INF
- April Stats: 16 G, .351 BA/.464 OBP/.649 SLG, 5 2B, 4 HR, 16 RBI, 1 SB, 178 wRC+
Valdez is off to a great start. After leading the Astros system in HR and RBI last season, he is leading the Hooks in HR, RBI, BA and OPS so far this season. He also showed patience posting a 17.4 BB% in April. The left hitter is showing why he can’t be overlook as a legit prospect.
Enmanuel Valdez (@Enmanuel_valde) 3 run HR in the 9th to give the Hooks the lead!! #Astros pic.twitter.com/5GtNotpXKV
— Astros Future (@AstrosFuture) May 1, 2022
PITCHER: Jimmy Endersby, RHP
- April Stats: 4 G, 1.06 ERA, 17.0 IP, 11 H, 2 ER, 10 BB, 14 SO
Endersby picked up where he left off in 2021 with the Hooks. In April he posted a 1.06 ERA over 17 innings allowing just 11 hits. While he walked 10, 5 came in one game. Overall he held batters to just a .205 BAA in April. He probably won’t be in Double-A much longer.
A+: Asheville Tourists
HITTER: Nerio Rodriguez, C
- April Stats: 17 G, .300 BA/.373 OBP/.600 SLG, 6 2B, 4 HR, 10 RBI, 156 wRC+
Rodriguez has been in the system a while but put some things together this last month. He posted a .973 OPS and connected on 10 XBHs. The 22 year old is off to the best start of his minor league career hitting over .300 now as we go into the month of May.
PITCHER: Adrian Chaidez, RHP
- April Stats: 4 G, 2.51 ERA, 14.1 IP, 8 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, 24 K
Chaidez posted some really good numbers in April including a perfect 6 innings in one of his starts. He has an insane 42.1 K%, 36.8 K-BB% and a 1.40 FIP. He was a 15th round pick in 2021 but looking like a steal right now.
A: Fayetteville Woodpeckers
HITTER: Victor Mascai, 1B
- April Stats: 14 G, .262 BA/.407 OBP/.548 SLG, 3 2B, 3 HR, 10 RBI, 162 wRC+
Mascai is a high upside prospect and he showed some of that in April. The 21 year old lefty posted a .955 OPS and connected on 6 XBHs in 14 games. He also has an impressive walk rate at 19.6% so far this season.
Victor Mascai destroyed this 2 run HR for the Woodpeckers! #Astros pic.twitter.com/vX2Nl3g57m
— Astros Future (@AstrosFuture) April 24, 2022
PITCHER: Ernesto Jaquez, RHP
- April Stats: 4 G, 2.45 ERA, 18.1 IP, 9 H, 5 ER, 8 BB, 29 K, .145 BAA
Jaquez has since been promoted to High-A but it looks like he has recaptured some of his 2018 form. The right hander struck out 29 in 18.1 innings and held opposing batters to just a .145 BAA with a 40.8 K%. High-A will be a good challenge him.
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