A look back into this week’s performances in the Astros organization
Triple-A: Sugar Land Space Cowboys (3-3)
Sugar Land split their series in El Paso this week after the graduation of Loperfido to the big leagues. Quincy Hamilton led the way with 4 home runs in his five-game split between Sugar Land and Corpus. Pedro León continued his offensive tear this season collecting the most RBIs for the Space Cowboys. The lineup continues to produce as they lead their league with 51 home runs and a .860 OPS.
Note: Shay Whitcomb led the team in doubles (5) and total bases (19) this week
- Hamilton: 6-16, 3R, 4 HR, 6 RBI, 4BB(1K) – (2 AA games, 3 AAA games)
- Hummel: 6-17, 5R, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 4BB(4K)
- Julks: 9-25, 5R, 3 2B, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 2BB(6K)
- León: 7-24, 5R, 1 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 4BB(3K)
The starting rotation struggled for Sugar Land this week, as we saw the best outings come from the bullpen. AJ Blubaugh had another tough outing allowing 8 hits and 3 runs, raising his season ERA to a 3.76 after his stellar first weeks. Ryan Gusto put together the best start with an outing of 3-run ball striking out six. The bullpen did most of the lifting this week and locked down 2-3 save opportunities.
Note: Sugar Land is 10-14 on save opportunities this year
- Contreras: 2G, 2.2 IP, 1H, 0R(0ER) 1K, 0BB, 1SV
- Gaither: 2G, 3.0 IP, 1H, 0R(0ER), 2K, 2BB
- Gusto: 1GS, 5.0 IP, 4H, 3R(3ER), 1 HR, 6K, 1BB
- Suero: 2G, 2.1 IP, 1H, 0r(0ER), 5K, 1BB, 1 SV
Double-A: Corpus Christi Hooks (1-5)
Hitting has continued to be a struggle with the Hooks, especially after the promotion of Quincy Hamilton back to AAA, and it showed this week as they won just one game in Frisco. Astros top prospect, Jacob Melton, continues to find his groove this season as the bat is heating up and has been showing off the glove with some spectacular catches. The Hooks will hope the promotion of Pascal Ferreras can add a spark into this lineup as they still have a league low OPS.
Note: Jacob Melton leads the team in HR (4) and RBIs (18)
- Brewer: 5-19, 1R, 2 2B, 1 RBI, 1BB(3K)
- Correa: 6-18, 1R, 2 2B, 2 RBI, 3BB(2K)
- Melton: 6-22, 1R, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 4BB(4K)
- Sacco Jr.: 5-20, 2R, 1 2B, 0 RBI, 2BB(3K)
The Hooks’ staff continues to be their bright spot through the first month of the season. Fast riser Jake Bloss made his AA debut this week and dominated in his six innings of work allowing just 2 hits and striking out six.. Julio Robaina continued his great start to the year as well, going four scoreless, lowering his season ERA to a 1.35. A lack of run support has not helped this Hooks rotation that continues to pile up good starts. The Hooks stay home this week to host Amarillo.
Note: Aaron Brown has struck out 31 in his 21.2 inning pitched this year
- Bloss: 1GS, 6.0 IP, 2H, 0R(0ER), 6K, 0BB
- Guilfoil: 1GS, 5.0 IP, 1H, 1R(1ER), 2K, 3BB
- Robaina: 1GS, 4.0 IP, 1H, 0R(0ER), 5K, 0BB
- Rodriguez: 1GS, 5.0 IP, 1H, 0R(0ER), 4K, 2BB
High-A: Asheville Tourists (2-4)
Despite winning just two games this series, Asheville had some bright signs at the plate. Luis Baez put together his best series since opening weekend, leading the team in home runes and RBIs, while tying for the team lead in hits. Pascal Ferreras has been swinging it more than well enough to earn himself a promotion to AA Corpus this week. Jeron Williams tallied seven hits in just three games played this week. The Tourists were 10-12 stealing bases this weekend.
Note: The Tourists are still struggling at contact as they collected 58 strikeouts at the plate to just 19 walks
- Baez: 8-23, 3R, 1 2B, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 0BB(4K)
- Deming: 7-12, 2R, 1 2B, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 0BB(2K)
- Ferreras: 7-24, 3R, 2 2B, 4 RBI, 0BB(7K)
- Williams: 8-17, 5R, 2 2B, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 2BB(2K)
Pitching struggled this week outside of a few outings, which included James Hicks’ high-a debut. Hicks pitched 5 innings allowing just 1 run but unfortunately picked up the loss. Joey Mancini had the best relief outing going 4 hitless innings allowing just one walk and one hit batter. One bright spot is the staff struck out 62 while allowing just 16 walks. The Tourists head to Winston-Salem this week for their series.
Note: Asheville has a team era of 5.11 to begin the year
- Carrasco: 2G, 2.0 IP, 1H, 0R(0ER), 3K, 0BB
- Guedez: 1 GS, 5.0 IP, 2H, 1R(0ER), 5K, 1BB
- Hicks: 1GS, 5.0 IP, 3H, 1R(1ER), 4K, 0BB
- Mancini: 1G, 4.0 IP, 0H, 0R(0ER), 5k, 1BB, 1HBP
Low-A: Fayetteville Woodpeckers (3-3)
After beginning the season with the best record in Woodpeckers history, Fayetteville split their series in Delmarva. Cesar Hernandez followed up his debut last week with a solid week at the dish, including his first professional home run. Kenni Gomez and Oliver Carillo also added a long ball this week and a team leading 4 RBIs. It was overall a down week for the Woodpeckers as they generated a mere .596 OPS as a team. Hopefully this trend does not continue against a top three team ERA in the league this week.
Note: Cesar Hernandez has 10 hits in his first 9 professional games
- Gomez: 5-20, 3R, 2 2B, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 3BB(8K)
- Hernandez: 6-22, 3R, 1 3B, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 0BB(4K)
- Jaworksy: 5-21, 4R, 0 RBI, 1BB(4K), 4 SB (0CS)
- Luciano: 5-20, 3R, 1 2B, 2 RBI, 4BB(7K)
The Fayetteville pitching staff compiled a 3.00 ERA this week in their split series, behind some great starting pitching. Alonzo Treadwell made two starts allowing just two runs across his 8.1 innings pitched, and Langford and Pecko provided great outings out of the bullpen. THe bullpen went 2-3 in save opportunities, and Ben Petschke secured a one out win. Fayetteville returns home to take on the Carolina Mudcats this week.
Note: The Woodpeckers staff boasts a 3.87 ERA on the season
- Langford: 1G, 3.1 IP, 3H, 1R(1ER), 4K(3BB)
- Pecko: 1G, 4.0 IP, 0H, 0R(0ER), 3K(0BB)
- Treadwell: 2GS, 8.1 IP, 9H, 2R(2ER), 9K(3BB)
- True: 1GS, 5.0 IP, 5H, 1R(1ER), 4K(1BB)
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