Let’s take a look at the best performances in the Astros system in June.
*Just a note, these are my picks for the month*
Previous POTM:
AAA: Sugar Land Space Cowboys
HITTER: Shay Whitcomb, INF
- July Stats: 24 G, .345 BA/.396 OBP/.540 SLG, 6 2B, 3B, 3 HR, 21 RBI, 8 SB
Whitcomb has been up and down this season, both with the big league team and performance, but July he got things going. Through 24 games for Sugar Land, he hit .345 with 6 doubles, 3 home runs, 21 runs batted in and a .936 OPS. Overall this year he is hitting .285 in Triple-A.
PITCHER: Josh Hendrickson, LHP
- July Stats: 5 G, 2.48 ERA, 29.0 IP, 21 H, 8 ER, 6 BB, 20 SO
Hendrickson has been a decent find this year and in July he put together his best month. Over four starts, the left-hander posted a 2.42 ERA while striking out 19 batters over 22.1 innings. This year in Triple-A, he has a 3.93 ERA over 75.2 innings.
AA: Corpus Christi Hooks
HITTER: Walker Janek, C
- July Stats: 15 G, .327 BA/.468 OBP/.694 SLG, 3 2B, 5 HR, 15 RBI, 10 BB
Janek got off to a rough start this season and then ended up on the injured list, but he put things together in May. Over 15 games in July, Janek hit .327 with 3 doubles, 5 home runs, 15 runs batted in and 10 stolen bases. This season he is up to 8 home runs and 16 stolen bases over 41 games.
Honorable Mention – Chase Call, OF
PITCHER: Bryce Mayer, RHP
- July Stats: 4 G, 0.47 ERA, 19.0 IP, 9 H, 1 ER, 6 BB, 29 SO
Mayer got off to a solid start this year, but he has turned on another switch recently. In July the right-hander posted a 0.47 ERA with 29 strikeouts over 19 innings, allowing just 9 hits. For the season he has a 2.61 ERA with 100 strikeouts over 69 innings, holding opponents to a .184 BAA.
A+: Asheville Tourists
HITTER: Ethan Frey, OF
- July Stats: 17 G, .375 BA/.471 OBP/.625 SLG, 2 2B, 4 HR, 19 RBI, 5 SB
Frey got off to a slow start and then turned things on in May before landing on the injured list. He came back in July and started hitting the ball well. In 17 games in July, Frey hit .375 with 2 doubles, 4 home runs, 19 runs batted in and a 1.096 OPS. Overall this year he’s hitting .282 through 65 games.
Honorable Mention – Jack Moss, OF
PITCHER: Nolan DeVos, RHP
- July Stats: 5 G, 2.52 ERA, 25.0 IP, 18 H, 7 ER, 6 BB, 27 K
DeVos was promoted half way through July, but I went with him here for Asheville. In the month of July, the right-hander made five appearances and posted a 2.52 ERA while striking out 27 batters over 25 innings. He’s been strong in Corpus Christi too, posting a 2.51 ERA over three outings.
A: Fayetteville Woodpeckers
HITTER: Waner Luciano, INF
- July Stats: 22 G, .316 BA/.455 OBP/.566 SLG, 7 2B, 4 HR, 20 RBI, 9 SB
Luciano has battled the last few years and as of late, he looks like a new hitter. In 22 games in July, the 21-year-old hit .316 with 7 doubles, 4 home runs, 20 runs batted in and 9 stolen bases. On the season he’s hitting .275 with 8 home runs and more walks than strikeouts.
Honorable Mention – Kevin Alvarez, OF
PITCHER: Jagger Beck, RHP
- July Stats: 5 G, 2.38 ERA, 22.2 IP, 17 H, 6 ER, 11 BB, 20 K
Beck has been a phenomenal find signing as an undrafted free agent following the 2024 draft. He’s put together a strong season and continued rolling in July posting a 2.38 ERA with 20 strikeouts over 22.2 innings. On the season, the right-hander has a 2.74 ERA with 76 strikeouts over 65.2 innings.
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