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: Shay Whitcomb, INF
- April Stats: 25 G, .255 BA/.349 OBP/.574 SLG, 12 2B, 6 HR, 17 RBI, SB
Whitcomb got off to a bit of a slow start after two really good years in the minors. But once he got going, the extra base hits started rolling in. He ended up finishing the first month of the season with 18 XBHs in just 25 games. He leads the Astros system in doubles and home runs this season.
PITCHER: Colton Gordon, LHP
- April Stats: 5 G, 2.73 ERA, 26.1 IP, 27 H, 8 ER, 7 BB, 24 SO
This was a close call between Blubaugh and Gordon, but I gave the nod to the left-hander Gordon. He made five starts and pitched really well posting a 2.73 ERA with 24 strikeouts in 26.1 innings. He also had a solid start in March too. In his most recent outing in April, he tossed 7 scoreless with 8 strikeouts.
AA: Corpus Christi Hooks
HITTER: Ryan Johnson, INF
- April Stats: 13 G, .239 BA/.271 OBP/.478 SLG, 5 2B, 2 HR, 6 RBI, SB
It was a rough month for the Hooks’ offense, but Johnson did provide some pop to the squad. He only played in 13 games but finished the month with 5 doubles and 2 homers before landing on the injured list.
PITCHER: Jose Fleury, RHP
- April Stats: 4 G, 0.82 ERA, 22.0 IP, 11 H, 2 ER, 5 BB, 25 SO
Fleury has been phenomenal this season. In 4 starts in April, the right-hander posted a 0.82 ERA with 25 strikeouts in 22 innings. He held opposing hitters to just a .149 batting average in April allowing only 1 extra base hit in those 4 outings. He might find himself in Sugar Land soon.
A+: Asheville Tourists
HITTER: Alejandro Nunez, INF
- April Stats: 16 G, .300 BA/.373 OBP/.483 SLG, 2 2B, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 4 SB
Nunez flew under the radar in 2024 but is already off to a good start this year. In 16 games for Asheville, the 20-year-old hit .300 with 2 doubles, 3 home runs, 9 runs batted in and 4 stolen bases.
PITCHER: Hudson Leach, RHP
- April Stats: 7 G, 0.69 ERA, 10.2 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 4 BB, 19 K
While the pitcher of the month tends to go to starters, Leach was one of the most dominant pitchers in the system in relief. The right-hander, who was up to 99 MPH in spring, struck out 19 over 10.2 innings with a 0.69 ERA in April.
A: Fayetteville Woodpeckers
HITTER: Jancel Villarroel, C
- April Stats: 22 G, .296 BA/.385 OBP/.469 SLG, 7 2B, 2 3B, HR, 11 RBI, 10 SB
Villarroel made a nice climb in 2024 going all the way from the DSL to Single-A. He started this year back in Single-A and was great in April hitting .296 over 22 games. He also connected on 7 doubles, 2 triples, a home run and 10 stolen bases.
PITCHER: Bryce Mayer
- April Stats: 4 G, 2.51 ERA, 14.1 IP, 10 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 27 K
Mayer was the definition of the word dominant in April. He had an insane 2 walks to 27 strikeouts in 14.1 innings while posting a 2.51 ERA. If he keeps this kind of pitching up, he could be a fast riser in the system this year.
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