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: CJ Alexander, OF
- April Stats: 23 G, .259 BA/.344 OBP/.531 SLG, 4 2B, 6 HR, 13 RBI
Alexander was signed by the Astros this off-season and has put together a strong start to 2026. In April, the outfielder hit .259 with 6 home runs and 13 runs batted in. He currently leads the team in home runs and runs batted in.
PITCHER: Alimber Santa
- April Stats: 10 G, 0.82 ERA, 11.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 14 SO
Santa started last year great but then struggled in Triple-A. This year has been a different story for Sugar Land. The right-hander appeared in 10 games in April and posted a 0.82 ERA. Even more impressive was his 2 walks to 14 strikeouts, a drastic improvement from last year.
AA: Corpus Christi Hooks
HITTER: Will Bush, C
- April Stats: 19 G, .250 BA/.415 OBP/.469 SLG, 2 2B, 4 HR, 7 RBI, 18 BB, 2 SB
Bush made his way up to Double-A last year and was assigned to the Hooks to start the 2026 season. He put together a strong month of April posting a .884 OPS with 18 walks, both of which led the team, to go along with 4 home runs. Bush has showed some nice pop while also showing patience.
PITCHER: Nic Swanson, RHP
- April Stats: 7 G, 3.06 ERA, 17.2 IP, 12 H, 6 ER, 7 BB, 25 SO
Swanson appears to have made a move to pitching strictly out of the pen, but the results in April were really good so it might have been for the best. In seven games, the right-hander totaled 17.2 innings and struck out 25 batters. He also held opponents to .190 batting average against.
A+: Asheville Tourists
HITTER: Jason Schiavone, C
- April Stats: 20 G, .233 BA/.406 OBP/.644 SLG, 3 2B, 9 HR, 23 RBI, 7 SB
Schiavone was drafted by the Astros in the 11th round of the 2024 draft and he is off to an incredible start to the 2026 season. In 20 games in April, Schiavone connected on 9 home runs and drove in 23 runs. He also had a team leading 1.050 OPS and added 7 stolen bases as well.
PITCHER: Cole Hertzler, RHP
- April Stats: 5 G, 1.25 ERA, 21.2 IP, 10 H, 3 ER, 13 BB, 31 K
Hertzler struggled to get on the mound last year but now healthy, he has been the most dominant pitcher in the minor league system. In 21.2 innings in April, the right-hander struck out 31 batters and allowed just 10 hits, good for a .139 batting average against, to go along with his 1.25 ERA.
A: Fayetteville Woodpeckers
HITTER: Anthony Huezo, OF
- April Stats: 20 G, .280 BA/.353 OBP/.533 SLG, 4 2B, 3 3B, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 10 SB
Huezo finished the 2025 season strong in Fayetteville and it appears he picked up where he left off. In 20 games in April, Huezo hit .280 with a team leading .886 OPS. He tied for the team lead in home runs with 3 and led the entire system with 3 triples. 10 of his 21 hits were for extra bases.
PITCHER: Javier Perez, RHP
- April Stats: 5 G, 2.66 ERA, 23.2 IP, 15 H, 7 ER, 6 BB, 29 K
Perez was a pick of mine to be a breakout prospect, and the month of April went well for him. In five games, the right-hander posted a 2.66 ERA while striking out 29 batters over 23.2 innings. He also only walked six, giving him a 0.89 WHIP, which led the Woodpeckers’ pitching staff.
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