Let’s take a look at the best performances in the Astros system in July.
*Just a note, these are my picks for the month*
Previous POTM:
AAA: Sugar Land Space Cowboys
HITTER: Pedro Leon, OF
- July Stats: 18 G, .306 BA/.370 OBP/.583 SLG, 3B, 6 HR, 11 RBI, 4 SB
Leon has been solid all season and put together the best month of July for Sugar Land. In 18 games, the outfielder connected on 6 homers and stole 4 bases. Overall this year, Leon is hitting .297 with 21 doubles, 19 homers and 23 stolen bases in 93 games. He also recently earned a call-up to the Astros.
PITCHER: Ryan Gusto, RHP
- July Stats: 5 G, 1.15 ERA, 31.1 IP, 18 H, 4 ER, 7 BB, 29 SO
Gusto has been on an absolute roll recently. This continued in July. In five starts, right-hander posted a 1.15 ERA over 31.1 innings and picked up 29 strikeouts. Over his last 9 starts, he has a 1.33 ERA. The trade deadline has passed, and Gusto is deserving of a call-up if the Astros need some spot starts.
AA: Corpus Christi Hooks
HITTER: Zach Cole, OF
- July Stats: 16 G, .317 BA/.397 OBP/.650 SLG, 6 2B, 3B, 4 HR, 12 RBI, 2 SB
Cole started the season dealing with some injuries but turned things on in July. In 16 games, the 23-year-old hit .317 with a 1.047 OPS. This included 11 XBHs and brought his season OPS up to .838 in 52 games this season. With some recent moves, Cole has established himself as one of the top outfield prospects in the system.
PITCHER: Joey Mancini, RHP
- July Stats: 6 G, 2.10 ERA, 25.2 IP, 16 H, 6 ER, 9 BB, 16 SO
For back to back months, Mancini has been the best pitcher on the Hooks staff. The right-hander appeared in 4 games in July and posted a 1.00 ERA wit 16 K in 18 innings. He has flown under the radar this season but has been great overall with a 2.09 ERA and a 1.65 ERA in 43.2 innings in Double-A.
A+: Asheville Tourists
HITTER: Austin Deming, INF
- July Stats: 21 G, .272 BA/.330 OBP/.469 SLG, 7 2B, 3 HR, 10 RBI, SB
It was a rough month offensively for Asheville, but Deming was solid again. In 21 games, the 24-year-old hit .272 with 7 doubles, 3 homers and 10 runs batted in. In 79 games this season for the Tourists, Deming is hitting .267 with 19 doubles, 12 homers and 43 runs batted in.
PITCHER: Trey Dombroski, LHP
- July Stats: 4 G, 0.92 ERA, 19.2 IP, 18 H, 2 ER, 5 BB, 21 K
Dombroski saw some some struggles early in the season but really turned it on in July. The left-hander made four starts for Asheville and posted a 0.92 ERA with 21 K in 19.2 innings. This also earned him a promotion to Double-A. He has 83 K in 71 innings overall this season.
A: Fayetteville Woodpeckers
HITTER: Kenni Gomez, OF
- July Stats: 18 G, .279 BA/.375 OBP/.410 SLG, 4 2B, 2 3B, 6 RBI, 2 SB
The month of July was rough for the Woodpeckers, but Gomez was the best of the bunch. The 20-year-old was solid hitting .279 with a .375 OBP, that included 10 BB/12 SO in 18 games.
PITCHER: Yeriel Santos, RHP
- July Stats: 4 G, 2.76 ERA, 16.1 IP, 10 H, 5 ER, 5 BB, 17 K
Santos and Langford both had really good months of July, but I gave the nod to Santos here. In 4 outings, Santos had a 2.76 ERA with 17 K in 16.1 innings. He also had a 0.92 WHIP and held opponents to a .179 BAA. Overall he has a 3.30 ERA this season.
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