Let’s take a look at the best performances in the Astros system in May.
*Just a note, these are my picks for the month*
Previous POTM:
AAA: Sugar Land Space Cowboys
HITTER: Shay Whitcomb, INF
- May Stats: 25 G, .310 BA/.389 OBP/.670 SLG, 12 HR, 21 RBI, 5 SB
Whitcomb was here for April, and then improved and put up an even bigger month of May. The infielder played in 25 games and hit .310 with an impressive .670 SLG and 12 homers. Whitcomb leads all of minor league baseball in homers with 18 and his play earned him another call-up to Houston.
PITCHER: Miguel Ullola RHP
- May Stats: 5 G, 1.17 ERA, 23.0 IP, 14 H, 3 ER, 13 BB, 34 SO
Ullola had a rough April but really turned things on in May. The right-hander, and arguably the Astros top pitching prospect, was dominant posting a 1.17 ERA over 23 innings while striking out 34 batters. He also held opposing hitters to just a .175 batting average against. I expect him to make his MLB debut this year.
AA: Corpus Christi Hooks
HITTER: Bryan Lavastida, C
- May Stats: 22 G, .305 BA/.352 OBP/.463 SLG, 4 2B, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 9 SB
It was a rough month for the Hooks’ offense again, but Lavastida stood out. The catcher hit .305 with 4 doubles, 3 home runs and 9 runs batted in and managed to steal 9 bases. He’s been a solid pickup for the Hooks this season and has helped contribute behind the plate.
PITCHER: Alimber Santa
- May Stats: 8 G, 0.96 ERA, 18.2 IP, 10 H, 2 ER, 10 BB, 23 SO
Santa really got on the radar a few springs ago when he was touching 100 MPH as a teenager. After a couple rough seasons, he seems to have righted the ship. The right-hander is pitching in relief this year but was dominant in May posting a 0.96 ERA with 23 strikeouts in 18.2 innings, allowing just 10 hits.
A+: Asheville Tourists
HITTER: Will Bush, C
- May Stats: 20 G, .277 BA/.400 OBP/.538 SLG, 2 2B, 5 HR, 16 RBI, 3 SB
Bush was selected by the Astros with their 16th round pick in 2023 out of Tyler Junior College. At just 21-years-old, he is young for High-A but put together a really strong month of May hitting .277 with .938 OPS and 5 homers in 20 games. A great start for the young catcher.
PITCHER: Bryce Mayer, RHP
- May Stats: 5 G, 2.45 ERA, 22.0 IP, 15 H, 6 ER, 8 BB, 22 K
Mayer was the pitcher of the month for the Woodpeckers in April, and now ends up here for Asheville in May. The right-hander pitched really well striking out 22 over 22 innings while posting a 2.45 ERA. He has an impressive 52 K in 39.2 innings this season between Single-A and High-A.
A: Fayetteville Woodpeckers
HITTER: Drew Brutcher, OF
- May Stats: 26 G, .371 BA/.450 OBP/.485 SLG, 9 2B, 3B, 7 RBI, SB
Brutcher has been the definition of a hitting machine. In the month of May the lefty hitting Brutcher batted .371 and connected on 36 hits, including 9 doubles, in just 26 games. In 43 games this year, he is hitting .348 with .911 OPS and 12 doubles, 2 triple and 2 home runs.
PITCHER: Alonzo Tredwell, RHP
- May Stats: 5 G, 3.09 ERA, 23.1 IP, 13 H, 8 ER, 6 BB, 24 K
After a rough 2024 season, Tredwell is back healthy and had a strong month of May. The right-hander struck out 24 over 23.1 innings while posting a 3.09 ERA. Overall this year, he has a 3.06 ERA while racking up 39 strikeouts in 34.1 innings. I don’t expect him to be in Single-A much longer.
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