Let’s take a look at the best performances in the Astros system in August.
*Just a note, these are my picks for the month*
Previous POTM:
AAA: Sugar Land Space Cowboys
HITTER: Jacob Melton, OF
- August Stats: 24 G, .277 BA/.322 OBP/.470 SLG, 4 2B, 4 HR, 14 RBI, 7 SB
Melton was slow out of the gate in Triple-A but he started to turn things on in August. In 22 games, the 23-year-old hit .277 with 4 doubles, 4 home runs, and 7 stolen bases. He’s also hitting .425 over his last 12 games. Overall this season he has 18 doubles,es 14 home runs and 27 stolen bases.
PITCHER: Logan VanWey
- August Stats: 11 G, 0.66 ERA, 13.2 IP, 9 H, 2 ER, 7 BB, 19 SO
This was a tough choice because Sugar Land had a few relievers who were deserving. VanWey was dominant in August striking out 19 batters over 13.2 innings, allowing just 9 hits and a .192 BAA. He has 87 strikeouts in 64 innings in relief this season for Sugar Land.
AA: Corpus Christi Hooks
HITTER: Brice Matthews, SS
- August Stats: 12 G, .300 BA/.451 OBP/.675 SLG, 2B, 3B, 4 HR, 10 RBI, 6 SB
Matthews put together a nice month for the Hooks in August. The 22-year-old only played in 12 games, but hit .300 with a 1.126 OPS. This included 4 home runs and 6 stolen bases. For the season, he is up to 15 home runs and 27 stolen bases in 64 games between High-A and Double-A.
PITCHER: Jose Fleury, RHP
- August Stats: 5 G, 2.86 ERA, 22.0 IP, 13 H, 7 ER, 6 BB, 30 SO
Fleury got off to a slow start dealing with some injuries, but had his best month of the season in August. The right-hander pitched in 5 games and had a 2.86 ERA while striking out 30 over 22 innings. He also held opposing batters to just a .163 batting average against.
A+: Asheville Tourists
HITTER: Narbe Cruz, INF
- August Stats: 23 G, .280 BA/.372 OBP/.451 SLG, 6 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 5 SB
It was a rough month offensively for Asheville, but Cruz was the best of the bunch. The 23-year-old hit .281 with a .824 OPS in 23 games for the Tourists. This included 6 doubles, 2 home runs and 5 stolen bases. Overall this year he is hitting .283 with a .788 OPS in 73 games.
PITCHER: Nic Swanson, RHP
- August Stats: 6 G, 2.95 ERA, 21.1 IP, 9 H, 7 ER, 10 BB, 30 K
Swanson has been a bit up and down this year, but he was great in August. In 6 games, the right-hander posted a 2.95 ERA with 30 K in 21.1 innings. Even more impressive was he allowed only 9 hits, good for a .125 batting average against. He has 108 K in 102 innings this season.
A: Fayetteville Woodpeckers
HITTER: Trevor Austin, INF
- August Stats: 15 G, .339 BA/.409 OBP/.407 SLG, 4 2B, 9 RBI, 3 SB
Austin was signed as an undrafted free agent following the 2024 draft, but has been the best hitter to debut so far. In 15 games in August, the 22-year-old hit .339 with 4 doubles and 9 runs batted in. He also only struck out 10 times in 59 at-bats. A good professional start for him.
PITCHER: Anderson Brito, RHP
- August Stats: 4 G, 3.07 ERA, 14.2 IP, 13 H, 5 ER, 9 BB, 21 K
Brito has seen quite the rise this year. He started the year in the Dominican Summer League before getting promoted to FCL and then Fayetteville. In August, the 20-year-old pitched in 4 games and racked up 21 strikeouts in 14.2 innings with a 3.07 ERA. Overall, he has 78 K in 49 innings this season.
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