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: Joey Loperfido, OF
- April Stats: 25 G, .287 BA/.393 OBP/.713 SLG, 4 2B, 13 HR, 27 RBI, 5 SB
Loperfido put together a ridiculous month of April (with a few games in March). The 24-year-old led all of baseball with 13 homers showing off ridiculous power to all fields. His domination in Triple-A earned him a call-up just a few days ago.
PITCHER: A.J. Blubaugh, RHP
- April Stats: 5 G, 3.22 ERA, 22.1 IP, 19 H, 8 ER, 7 BB, 26 SO
Blubaugh has been a quick riser following the 2022 draft. The right-hander made one start in Double-A before a quick promotion to Triple-A. In the month, he had a 3.22 ERA striking out 26 in just 22.1 innings.
AA: Corpus Christi Hooks
HITTER: Jacob Melton, OF
- April Stats: 18 G, .265 BA/.329 OBP/.500 SLG, 3 2B, 2 3B, 3 HR, 15 RBI, 5 SB
Melton got off to a slow start but really picked things up over the last few weeks. The 2022 2nd rounder started to show his power/speed combo connecting on 8 XBHs and stealing 5 bases. Hopefully the hot streak will continue.
PITCHER: Julio Robaina, LHP
- April Stats: 4 G, 2.18 ERA, 20.2 IP, 17 H, 5 ER, 8 BB, 24 SO
Robaina had a solid 2023 season and has followed that up well so far in 2024. He made one start in Triple-A and three in Double-A posting a 2.18 ERA with 24 K in 20.2 innings. With the lack of left handed pitchers, Robaina emerging is huge.
A+: Asheville Tourists
HITTER: Cam Fisher, OF
- April Stats: 17 G, .242 BA/.373 OBP/.597 SLG, 4 2B, 6 HR, 16 RBI, 4 SB
Fisher got off to a slow start, and then turned it on in a big way. The 2023 draftee finished the month with 4 double and 6 homers. He also added 4 stolen bases and led Asheville in OPS with a .970.
PITCHER: Jake Bloss, RHP
- April Stats: 4 G, 2.08 ERA, 17.1 IP, 11 H, 4 ER, 8 BB, 25 K
Bloss is quickly becoming one of the top pitching prospects in the system. The right-hander posted a 2.08 ERA with 25 K in 17.1 innings in April. He was up to 98 MPH with the fastball, and is still just 22-years-old.
A: Fayetteville Woodpeckers
HITTER: Juan Santander, C
- April Stats: 15 G, .333 BA/.429 OBP/.521 SLG, 3 2B, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 2 SB
Santander had a solid month for the Woodpeckers. He hit .333 and led the team in OPS of .949. He also had an impressive 8 BB/11 SO ratio in those 15 games in April.
PITCHER: James Hicks, RHP
- April Stats: 4 G, 0.50 ERA, 18.0 IP, 9 H, 1 ER, 7 BB, 25 K
Hicks, a 2023 draftee, was flat out dominant in April. The right-hander allowed only one run over 18 innings. The one run was a lead-off HR in his last outing. He struck out 25 in those 18 innings.
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