Let’s take a look at the best performances in the Astros system in May.
*Just a note, these are my picks for the month*
Previous POTM:
AAA: Sugar Land Space Cowboys
HITTER: Justin Dirden, OF
- May Stats: 22 G, .341 BA/.369 OBP/.624 SLG, 5 2B, 2 3B, 5 HR, 25 RBI, 3 SB
Dirden got off to a slow start in April but really turned things on in May. The left-hander hit .341 over 22 games including 12 XBHs and 22 runs driven in. He will still need to cut down on the strikeouts, but he showed why people were so high on him this spring.
PITCHER: Ronel Blanco, RHP
- May Stats: 4 G, 0.56 ERA, 16.0 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 13 BB, 21 SO
While the walks were a bit high, Blanco was basically unhittable in May allowing just 5 hits in 16 innings, good for a .098 BAA. He also noticed 21 strikeouts in those 16 innings and showed he could go deep into games as a starter.
AA: Corpus Christi Hooks
HITTER: Drew Gilbert, OF
- May Stats: 23 G, .321 BA/.412 OBP/.536 SLG, 6 2B, 4 HR, 18 RBI, 3 SB
Gilbert started the month in High-A but was quickly promoted to Double-A. The 2022 first round pick has been great al season and was great in May posting a .948 OPS with 6 2B and 4 HR while driving in 18 runs.
PITCHER: Spencer Arrighetti, RHP
- May Stats: 5 G, 0.67 ERA, 27.0 IP, 12 H, 2 ER, 8 BB, 37 SO
After a down April, Arrighetti straight up dominated hitters in May. The right-hander struck out 37 over 27 innings and allowed just 12 hits, good for a .136 BAA. He showed why he is the Astros top pitching prospect.
A+: Asheville Tourists
HITTER: Zach Dezenzo, INF
- May Stats: 20 G, .421 BA/.483 OBP/.592 SLG, 7 2B, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 7 SB
Dezenzo put together another strong month after being here for April too. The 12th round pick in 2022 spend most of the month in High-A before receiving a promotion to Double-A. Overall he hit .421 with 9 XBHs in 20 games.
PITCHER: Michael Knorr, RHP
- May Stats: 4 G, 3.86 ERA, 16.1 IP, 16 H, 7 ER, 9 BB, 27 K
Knorr showed some dominant stuff in May striking out 27 over 16.1 innings. Asheville is a tough place to pitch but the right-hander was able to minimize the damage and show the swing and miss stuff that got him drafted in the 3rd round.
A: Fayetteville Woodpeckers
HITTER: Zach Cole, OF
- May Stats: 16 G, .268 BA/.397 OBP/.625 SLG, 6 2B, 3B, 4 HR, 14 RBI, 5 SB
Cole has some crazy loud tools and he showed them off in May. The 10th rounder last year slugged .625 with 11 XBHs in 16 games. He also added 5 SB. He is one of the more toolsy prospects in the system.
PITCHER: Nolan DeVos, RHP
- May Stats: 5 G, 2.08 ERA, 21.2 IP, 9 H, 5 ER, 11 BB, 28 K
DeVos put together a strong month of May flashing the elite strikeout stuff. The right-hander racked up 28 K in 21.2 innings while allowing just 9 hits. He also had a 2.08 ERA in five games in May.
Be sure to subscribe to receive weekly updates on the Astros minor league system. Also be sure to follow on Twitter, @AstrosFuture, and like my Facebook page, facebook.com/AstrosFuture.
