Astros April 2018 MiLB Standouts

With the calendar turning from April to May, the minor league standings find three of the Astros four minor league affiliates in first place in their respective divisions. (Quad Cities is lagging, but is beginning to thaw from a cold, nasty season start.) Here are a few of the players who helped the teams get off to a good start.

Blue = league leader (qualified)
Red = leads the Astros minor league affiliates

FRESNO: 17-8

Kent Emanuel - April 2017

Photo by Jayne Hansen

Starters

• LHP Kent Emanuel: 2-1 in 4 starts, 1.66 ERA, 0.831 WHIP, 3 BB:20 K in 21.2 IP
• RHP Cy Sneed: 2-0 in 5 games/3 starts, 1.83 ERA, 1.271 WHIP, 12 BB: 19 K in 19.2 IP

Relief

• RHP James Hoyt: 0-0 in 6 games, 1.29 ERA, 1.143 WHIP, 2 BB: 8 K in 7 IP
• Brendan McCurry: 0-1 with 4 saves in 10 games, 4.73 ERA, 1.200 WHIP, 3 BB:17 K in 13.1 IP

Position Players (ranked by OPS)

• C Tim Federowicz: 10 G, .447/.500/.737, 2 2B, 3 HR, 11 RBI, 3 BB:8 K
• IF Tyler White: 24 G, .315/.431/.596, 7 2B, 6 HR, 15 RBI, 17 BB: 13 K, 0 SB:1 CS
• OF Drew Ferguson: 23 G, .351/.445/.543, 6 2B, 3 3B, 17 RBI, 13 BB:18 K, 3 SB:2 CS
• 1B/3B/OF J.D. Davis: 16 G, .359/.423/.531, 5 2B, 2 HR, 12 RBI, 6 BB:14 K
• C Garrett Stubbs: 15 G, .361/.379/.508, 5 2B, 2 3B, 11 RBI, 2 BB:7 K, 2 SB:0 CS
• 2B/OF Tony Kemp: 24 G, .330/.424/.420, 5 2B, 2 3B, 14 RBI, 16 BB:13 K, 8 SB:0 CS
• OF Kyle Tucker: 22 G, .293/.371/.457, 9 2B, 2 HR, 17 RBI, 12 BB:22 K, 2 SB:2 CS

Tyler White also leads the Astros MiLB affiliates with 22 runs scored.

CORPUS CHRISTI: 15-9

Myles Straw - April 2018

Photo by Jayne Hansen

Starters

• RHP Brock Dykxhoorn: 2-0 in 4 games/3 starts, 1.53 ERA, 1.075 WHIP, 5 BB:17 K in 17.2 IP
• RHP Josh James: 0-0 with 1 save in 5 games/3 starts, 1.80 ERA, 1.110 WHIP, 6 BB: 34 K* in 20 IP
• LHP Ryan Hartman: 1-0 in 5 games/3 starts, 1.83 ERA, 1.068 WHIP, 4 BB:22 K in 19.2 IP
• LHP Cionel Perez: 1-1 in 4 games/3 starts, 2.16 ERA, 1.500 WHIP, 8 BB:16 K in 16.2 IP

*Josh James is both the Texas League and Astros affiliate leader in strikeouts.

Relief

• RHP Ralph Garza: 3-0 in 6 games, 3.52 ERA, 1.109 WHIP, 4 BB:17 K in 15.1 IP

There are other relief pitchers with lower ERAs than Garza, but the lowest WHIP of the bunch is 1.400 ... lots of walks!

Position Players (ranked by OPS)

• 1B Taylor Jones: 19 G, .354/.463/.646, 10 2B, 3 HR, 17 RBI, 13 BB:16 K
• OF Myles Straw: 23 G, .361/.461/.458, 2 2B, 3 3B, 9 RBI, 15 BB:17 K, 14 SB*:2 CS
• OF Yordan Alvarez: 21 G, .280/.368/.500, 6 2B, 4 HR, 20 RBI, 12 BB:18 K, 5 SB:2 CS
• OF Carmen Benedetti: 18 G, .273/.392/.424, 4 2B, 2 HR, 12 RBI, 13 BB:21 K, 4 SB:2 CS
• 3B Randy Cesar: 19 G, .329/.363/.447, 6 2B, HR, 12 RBI, 4 BB:20 K

Yordan Alvarez leads the Texas League with 21 runs scored.
*Myles Straw is both the Texas League and Astros affliate leader in stolen bases.

BUIES CREEK: 16-8

Josh Rojas - July 2017

Photo by Jayne Hansen

Starters

• RHP Corbin Martin: 2-0 with a save in 4 games/3 starts, 0.00 ERA, 0.579 WHIP, 7 BB:26 K in 19 IP
• RHP Carson LaRue: 1-0 in 4 games/3 starts, 0.46 ERA, 0.763 WHIP, 4 BB:20 K in 19.2 IP
• RHP Abdiel Saldana: 3-0 in 5 games/3 starts, 1.52 ERA, 1.014 WHIP, 5 BB:13 K in 23.2 IP
• RHP Brandon Bielak: 3-2 in 5 games/3 starts, 1.61 ERA, 1.075 WHIP, 7 BB:33 K in 22.1 IP
• LHP Brett Adcock: 1-0 with a save in 4 games/2 starts, 1.65 ERA, 1.980 WHIP, 10 BB:21 K in 16.1 IP
• RHP Hector Perez: 0-0 in 4 games/3 starts, 2.76 ERA, 1.163 WHIP, 12 BB:25 K in 16.1 IP
• RHP Brandon Bailey: 0-2 in 4 games/3 starts, 3.18 ERA, 1.059 WHIP, 9 BB:29 K in 17 IP

Relief

• RHP Justin Ferrell: 1-0 with 1 save in 6 games, 1.72 ERA, 0.574 WHIP, 4 BB:22 K in 15.2 IP
• RHP Carlos Sierra: 1-1 with 2 saves in 7 games, 2.87 ERA, 0.957 WHIP, 7 BB:12 K in 15.2 IP

Position Players (ranked by OPS)

• UTIL Josh Rojas: 24 G, .311/.410/.511, 11 2B*, 2 3B, HR, 10 RBI, 15 BB:13 K, 12 SB:0 CS
• 3B Abraham Toro: 24 G, .259/.386/.469, 8 2B, 3 HR, 19 RBI, 13 BB:17 K, 3 SB:0 CS
• 1B Troy Sieber: 13 G, .267/.365/.467, 6 2B, HR, 11 RBI, 7 BB:10 K
• SS Anibal Sierra: 22 G, .284/.385/.448, 5 2B, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 9 BB:21 K, 2 SB:4 CS
• OF Chas McCormick: 22 G, .291/.367/.405, 7 2B, HR, 12 RBI, 8 BB:17 K, 4 SB:0 CS
• OF Ronnie Dawson: 23 G, .253/.392/.380, 2 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 18 BB:27 K, 9 SB:5 CS

OF/2B Osvaldo Duarte leads the Astros system and the Carolina League with four triples.
*Josh Rojas is both the Carolina League and Astros affiliate leader in doubles.

QUAD CITIES: 10-12

Jonathan Arauz - August 2016

Photo by Jayne Hansen

Starters

• RHP Luis Garcia: 0-1 in 4 games/2 starts, 0.63 ERA, 0.907 WHIP, 5 BB:20 K in 14.1 IP
• RHP Cristian Javier: 1-0 with 1 save in 4 games/3 starts, 1.69 ERA, 1.375 WHIP, 12 BB:25 K in 16 IP
• LHP Parker Mushinski: 0-0 in 4 games/2 starts, 1.76 ERA, 1.239 WHIP, 7 BB:25 K in 15.1 IP

Relief

• RHP Tanner Duncan: 0-0 with 2 saves in 4 games, 1.23 ERA, 0.955 WHIP, 4 BB:12 K in 7.1 IP
• LHP Adam Bleday: 2-1 in 5 games, 2.70 ERA, 1.000 WHIP, 6 BB:15 K in 10 IP

Position Players (ranked by OPS)

• OF J.J. Matijevic: 10 G, .306/.419/.611, 3 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 7 BB:9 K, 3 SB:0 CS
• OF Bryan de la Cruz: 19 G, .329/.365/.443, 6 2B, HR, 10 RBI, 4 BB:16 K, 1 SB:2 CS
• 1B Jake Adams: 15 G, .264/.361/.415, 2 2B, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 8 BB:20 K
• SS Jonathan Arauz: 21 G, .243/.364/.405, 3 2B, 3 3B, HR, 10 RBI, 14 BB:11 K, 4 SB:3 CS

April Astros MiLB: By the Numbers

Every once in a while, it's fun to mix things up. So I won't be doing my traditional Player of the Month post. Instead, let's look at the Astros MiLB accomplishments for April by the numbers ...

Kyle Tucker - May 2016

Photo by Jayne Hansen

52-41: Collective record of the four Astros MiLB full season teams in April
50: Percent of base runners caught stealing by Quad Cities C Jake Rogers (8 of 16)
34-5: Runs scored by Quad Cities and Burlington, respectively, 4/17 thru 4/19
30: Strikeouts by Quad Cities/Buies Creek RHP Hector Perez (2.14 ERA/1.095 WHIP)
24.1: Innings pitched by Buies Creek/Corpus Christi RHP Akeem Bostick
24: Walks by Corpus Christi 1B Jon Singleton (to 26 strikeouts)
23: RBI by Buies Creek OF Kyle Tucker
18: Runs scored by Fresno IF Tyler White
13.2: Strikeouts per nine innings by Quad Cities LHP Brett Adcock (17.2 IP)
11: Consecutive games in which Quad Cities OF Ronnie Dawson hit safely (4/14 thru 4/26)
10: Games in which Tyler White hit safely to start the season
10: Appearances out of the bullpen by Fresno RHP Jordan Jankowski and LHP Reymin Guduan
10: Strikeouts in Corpus Christi RHP Rogelio Armenteros' first game of the season
9: Strikeouts in Buies Creek LHP Alex Winkelman's first game of the season (followed by 10 in his third game)
9: Inherited runners stranded by Buies Creek/Corpus Christi RHP Andrew Thome (9 of 9)
7: Doubles hit by Kyle Tucker
7: RBI by Kyle Tucker (4/15) and Quad Cities OF Daz Cameron (4/28) in a single game
6: Home runs by Corpus Christi 3B J.D. Davis
6: Stolen bases by Kyle Tucker and Buies Creek OF Myles Straw
5: Longest win streak (Buies Creek to start the season and Quad Cities from 4-17 to 4-21)
5: Longest loss streak (Fresno from 4-14 to 4-18)
5: Home runs hit in back-to-back games by Quad Cities
5: Hits by Fresno OF Jon Kemmer in a single game (4/30)
4: OF assists by Myles Straw
3: Home runs hit by C Eduardo de Oleo in a single game (his second game in the Astros system)
3: Home runs hit by Quad Cities IF Rodrigo Ayarza in his first 6 games (tying his career high)
3: Home runs hit in consecutive at-bats by Corpus Christi IF Mott Hyde, IF Antonio Nunez and OF Drew Ferguson
3: Consecutive days in which J.D. Davis hit a home run
3: Triples hit by Kyle Tucker, Buies Creek 2B Ryne Birk and OF Teoscar Hernandez (for Fresno)
3: Wins from Buies Creek/Corpus Christi RHP Akeem Bostick and Buies Creek RHP Yoanys Quiala
3: Games in which Preston Tucker DIDN'T get a hit in April (11-game and 6-game streaks in April)
3: Saves by Buies Creek RHP Nick Hernandez
2: Homes runs hit by Quad Cities C Ray Henderson-Lozano in back-to-back innings (4/24)
2: Grand Slams hit by Quad Cities teammates Daz Cameron and 1B Spencer Johnson in the same game
2: Innings pitched by OF Andrew Aplin (4.50 ERA and 1.000 WHIP in two appearances)
1: Home run hit by Antonio Nunez (his first in 217 career games)
1: DL stint ending in Tommy John surgery for Fresno RHP Brady Rodgers (1.10 ERA, 0.918 WHIP in 3 starts before going on the DL 4/19) - Get well soon, Brady!!!

1.02: ERA by Quad Cities Brett Adcock in 17.2 IP (4 games/3 starts)
0.90: ERA by Fresno RHP Jordan Jankowski in 10 appearances (10 IP)
0.90: ERA by Quad Cities RHP Carson LaRue in 20 IP (4 games/3 starts)
0.66: ERA by Corpus Christi RHP Dean Deetz in 13.2 IP (3 games/2 starts)
0.64: ERA by Corpus Christi/Fresno RHP Kevin Comer in 8 appearances (14 IP)
0.00: ERA by Buies Creek RHP Franklin Perez in 14.1 IP (3 games/2 starts)
0.00: ERA by Fresno SS Reid Brignac in 0.2 IP

0.966: WHIP by Quad Cities RHP Jorge Alcala (2.29 ERA in 19.2 IP)
0.962: WHIP by Brett Adcock, Quad Cities LHP Ryan Hartman (2.04 ERA in 17.2 IP) and Corpus Christi RHP Josh James (also 2.04 ERA in 17.2 IP)
0.950: WHIP by Carson LaRue in 20 IP
0.943: WHIP by Nick Hernandez in 7 appearances
0.879: WHIP by Rogelio Armenteros in 19.1 IP (4 games/3 starts; 1.40 ERA)
0.800: WHIP by Alex Winkelman in 15 IP
0.781: WHIP by Akeem Bostick in 24.1 IP (5 games/4 starts)
0.512: WHIP by Dean Deetz in 13.2 IP
0.419: WHIP by Franklin Perez in 14.1 IP

1.329: OPS by Corpus Christi C Garrett Stubbs in 7 games since coming off the DL
.966: OPS by Fresno OF Jon Kemmer in 17 games
.939: OPS by Kyle Tucker in 23 games
.566 SLG by Kyle Tucker in 23 games
.565 SLG by C Jake Rogers in 17 games
.431: OBP by Corpus Christi C Jamie Ritchie in 13 games
.418: OBP by Quad Cities IF Alex de Goti
.367: BA by Preston Tucker in 20 games
.356: BA by Jon Kemmer in 17 games

Astros Farm Report: 5/1

Let's take a look at my Astros MiLB Pitchers and Players of the Month, but first things first ...

WISHING A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO

5-3: RHP Elieser Hernandez (21)
5-4: RHP Akeem Bostick (21)
5-4: RHP Juan Cuevas (22)

Elieser Hernandez - August 2015

Photo by Jayne Hansen

TRANSACTIONS/ROSTER MOVES

It's been a quiet few days on the transaction front with the main news being that, although he is now eligible to  come off the DL, SS Alex Bregman has not been activated for the Hooks at this time. That is not unsurprising since the Astros are likely to be extra cautious with one of their top prospects. The only other recent move I've seen is ...

4-30: C Marlon Avea assigned to Quad Cities

STANDINGS

Fresno has inched closer to .500 since we last checked, but more importantly, they have gone from 2.5 games behind to only half a game behind thanks to a four-game losing streak by the league leading Tacoma Rainiers (Mariners). The Hooks, however, have dropped six straight, and are now a full 8.0 games behind Frisco (Rangers). They have won only one game since Alex Bregman went on the DL.  Lancaster has been treading water over the last few days and they remain in fourth place, 7.5 games behind High Desert (Rangers). Quad Cities has clawed their way back from last (8th) place and are now only four games behind the league leaders Clinton (Mariners).

AAA Fresno 2nd 10-11 .476 0.5GB W1

AA Corpus Christi 3rd 9-12 .429 8.0GB L6

A+ Lancaster 4th 8-12 .400 7.5GB L1

A- Quad Cities 6th 10-12 .455 4.0GB W3

APRIL STANDOUTS

Here are the Astros MiLB top five in select categories through the end of April ...

ERA
0.52: RHP Joe Musgrove
0.64: RHP Ryan Deemes
0.75: LHP Reymin Guduan
1.10: RHP Andrew Thome
1.15: RHP Cy Sneed

WHIP
0.750: RHP Jandel Gustave
0.789: RHP Ralph Garza
0.803: RHP Rogelio Armenteros
0.808: RHP Joe Musgrove
0.833: LHP Reymin Guduan

SAVES
6: RHP James Hoyt
4: RHP Riley Ferrell
3: RHP Andrew Thome
2: RHP Ralph Garza
11 tied with 1 each

STRIKEOUTS
25: RHP Rogelio Armenteros
25: RHP Brad Peacock
24: LHP Matt Bower
23: RHP David Paulino
22: RHP Albert Abreu

AVG
.349: OF Eury Perez
.347: IF Danny Worth
.340: SS Alex Bregman
.333: C Anthony Hermelyn
.304: IF/OF Tony Kemp

OBP
.464: C Anthony Hermelyn
.431: SS Alex Bregman
.422: IF/OF Tony Kemp
.414: IF Danny Worth
.413: OF Ramon Laureano

SLG
.660: SS Alex Bregman
.558: OF Eury Perez
.547: IF Danny Worth
.534: 1B/DH A.J. Reed
.511: C Anthony Hermelyn

DOUBLES
8: C Anthony Hermelyn
6: 3B Nick Tanielu
5: 1B/DH A.J. Reed
5: OF Dex McCall
5: OF Jon Kemmer
5: OF Teoscar Hernandez

HOMERUNS
5: A.J. Reed
5: Alex Bregman
5: Chase McDonald
5: Jon Singleton
4: Jack Mayfield

STOLEN BASES
11: OF Bobby Boyd
8: OF Johnny Sewald
7: OF Ramon Laureano
6: Kyle Tucker
6: Teoscar Hernandez

WALKS
15: OF Derek Fisher
14: OF Teoscar Hernandez
13: 1B/DH A.J. Reed
13: 3B J.D. Davis
12: OF Ramon Laureano
12: IF/OF Tony Kemp

APRIL PLAYERS OF THE MONTH

Without further ado, here are my Players of the Month ...

FRESNO GRIZZLIES

• Starter: LHP Tommy Shirley (3-0 with a 2.12 ERA and 3.25 WHIP in 3 starts)
• Reliever: RHP James Hoyt (6 saves, a 2.19 ERA and a 0.973 WHIP in 11 appearances)
• Position Player: IF Danny Worth (.347/.414/.547/.960 in 20 games)

James Hoyt

CORPUS CHRISTI HOOKS

• Starter: RHP Joe Musgrove (1-1 with a 0.52 ERA and 0.808 WHIP in 4 games/3 starts)
• Reliever: LHP Reymin Guduan (1-0 with 1 save, a 0.75 ERA and a 0.833 WHIP in 8 games)
• Position Players: (I'm going with a tie on this one since Bregman spent the final week of the month on the DL.) SS Alex Bregman (.340/.431/.660./1.091 in 13 games) and IF Jack Mayfield (.246/.348/.509/.857 in 17 games

Alex Bregman and Joe Musgrove

LANCASTER JETHAWKS

• Starter: (Another tie) RHP Dean Deetz (1-0 with a 2.37 ERA and 1.211 WHIP in 4 games/3 starts) and RHP Brock Dykxhoorn (1-0 with a 2.29 ERA and 1.220 WHIP in 4 games/3 starts)
• Reliever: RHP Riley Ferrell (0-1 with 4 saves, a 1.80 ERA and 1.110 WHIP in 8 games)
• Position Player: 3B Nick Tanielu (.301/.342/.493/.835 in 19 games)

Brock Dykxhoorn

QUAD CITIES RIVERBANDITS

• Starter: RHP Rogelio Armenteros (0-2 with a 1.93 ERA and 0.804 WHIP in 4 games/3 starts before his promotion to Lancaster); honorable mention to LHP Matt Bower
• Reliever: RHP Ryan Deemes (1-0 with a 0.64 ERA and a 0.929 WHIP in 7 games); honorable mention to RHP Ralph Garza, RHP Andrew Thome and RHP Jacob Dorris)
• Position Player: C Anthony Hermelyn (.333/.464/.511/.975 in 14 games)

Rogelio Armenteros

From MiLB.com

Astros Minor League Pitchers and Players of the Month for April

Trying to narrow down my list of nominees for Pitchers and Players of the Month for April had to be one of the hardest things I've done lately. So many players got off to a terrific start! First, let's look at the Position Players:

Gregorio Petit (OKC)
.327/.360/.485
10-2B 2HR 12RBI 1SB 2CS 7BB 20SO

Ronny Torreyes (OKC)
.313/.353/.427
6-2B 1-3B 1HR 14 RBI 0SB 1CS 4BB 4SO

Domingo Santana (OKC)
.292/.342/.481
9-2B 1-3B 3HR 20RBI 0SB 1CS 8BB 34SO
3 outfield assists

Max Stassi (OKC)
.278/323/.522
7-2B 5HR 19RBI 0SB 0CS 6BB 20SO

Enrique Hernandez (OKC/CC)
.297/.340/.440
7-2B 2HR 12RBI 1SB 1CS 6BB 7SO

Andrew Aplin (CC)
.289/.426/.356
3-2B 1HR 17RBI 4SB 4CS 22BB 15SO
1 outfield assist

Preston Tucker (CC)
.295/.357/.552
9-2B 6HR 17RBI 1SB 2CS 8BB 16SO
2 outfield assists

Carlos Perdomo (LAN)
.392/.433/.549
1-2B 2-3B 1HR 7RBI 3SB 1CS 5BB 6SO

Tony Kemp (LAN)
.311/.416/.495
7-2B 3-3B 2HR 13RBI 10SB 4CS 15BB 12SO

Rio Ruiz (LAN)
.294/.354/.402
8-2B 1HR 13RBI 1SB 0CS 10BB 26SO

Chan Moon (QC)
.324/.383/.419
3-2B 2-3B 4RBI 7SB 2CS 7BB 14SO

Conrad Gregor (QC)
.313/.430/.398
7-2B 11RBI 0SB 0CS 15BB 18SO

Brett Phillips (QC)
.301/.394/.446
3-3B 2HR 13RBI 2SB 6CS 14BB 17SO
2 outfield assists

Our winner will probably not come as a huge surprise ...

Jon Singleton (OKC)
.293/.398/.646
6-2B 1-3B 9HR 27RBI 0SB 1CS 18BB 31SO

APRIL PLAYER OF THE MONTH: 1B JON SINGLETON

Jon Singleton - March 2014

Photo by Jayne Hansen

As a reminder, Players of the Week for April were:

Austin Elkins
Teoscar Hernandez
Jon Singleton
Leo Heras

>>>>>>><<<<<<<

Next up, we look at Starting (Tandem) Pitchers who had good starts. The talent in Lancaster alone is nothing short of phenomenal. When you look at their numbers, keep in mind that they are pitching in an extremely hitter-friendly environment and the average ERA there has hovered around 5.00 the last couple of years.

Nick Tropeano (OKC)
6 Games/3 Starts    23IP    1-1 record
2.74 ERA/1.174 WHIP   9BB:14SO

In addition, Rudy Owens had a 0.951 WHIP and 2BB:26SO for Oklahoma City, and David Martinez had a 1.167 WHIP.

Luis Cruz (CC)
6 Games/4 Starts   26.2IP   2-2 record
1.69 ERA/0.975 WHIP    6BB:20SO

Brady Rodgers (CC)
6 Games/4 Starts    28IP   1-2 record w/1 save
2.25 ERA/1.179 WHIP   4BB:22SO

Also, Aaron West had a 1.103 WHIP for April for Corpus Christi.

Lance McCullers (LAN)
7 Games/4 Starts   28.2IP   1-1 record w/2 saves
2.51 ERA/1.151 WHIP   12BB:33SO

Kyle Smith (LAN)
7 Games/3 Starts   27.2IP   4-0 record
2.60 ERA/1.084 WHIP  12BB:31SO
(Smith was just promoted to Corpus Christi)

Kyle Westwood (LAN)
7 Games/4 Starts   31IP   1-2 record w/2 saves
2.90 ERA/1.032 WHIP  8BB:16SO

Josh Hader (LAN)
7 Games/4 Starts   27.2IP   1-0 record w/1 save
2.93 ERA/1.048 WHIP  10BB:36SO

Vincent Velasquez (LAN)
6 Games/3 Starts    23IP   4-0 record
3.13 ERA/1.000 WHIP   8BB:26SO

In addition, Chris Devenski had a 1.151 WHIP and 4BB:18SO in April for Lancaster.

Kent Emanuel (QC)
6 Games/4 Starts   22IP   0-2 record
2.45 ERA/1.091 WHIP    4BB:17SO
(Emanuel was just promoted to Lancaster)

Gonzalo Sanudo (QC)
5 Games/2 Starts   18IP   3-0 record
0.50 ERA/0.778 WHIP  2BB:14SO

Although Gonzalo Sanudo's numbers are incredible, our winner has similar results over a greater number of innings.

Tommy Shirley (CC)
6 Games/4 Starts   28.1IP   2-2 record w/1 save
1.27 ERA/0.776 WHIP    4BB:34SO

APRIL STARTING (TANDEM) PITCHER OF THE MONTH:  LHP TOMMY SHIRLEY

Tommy Shirley - April 2014

Photo by Jayne Hansen

As a reminder, the Starting Pitchers of the Week for April were:

Kent Emanuel
Vince Velasquez/David Martinez
Aaron West
Tommy Shirley

>>>>>>><<<<<<<

Now for our Relief Pitchers:

Andrew Robinson (CC)
8 Games    11.2IP    1 save
0.77 ERA/1.200 WHIP   3BB:13SO
12 inherited runners/5 scored

Travis Ballew (CC)
8 Games   9.2IP    2 saves
0.93 ERA/1.345 WHIP  5BB:5SO
4 inherited runners/2 scored

Alex Sogard (CC)
8 Games   13IP   1 save
2.08 ERA/1.077 WHIP   6BB:4SO
5 inherited runners/0 scored

Also, Patrick  Urckfitz had a very nice 1.059 WHIP in his 5.2 innings for Corpus Christi.

Jamaine Cotton (LAN)
7 Games   5.2IP   3 saves
0.00 ERA/1.412 WHIP   3BB:3SO
7 inherited runners/4 scored
(Cotton finally gave up his first earned run 5/1)

Patrick Christensen (QC)
8 Games    8.1IP
1.12 ERA/0.875 WHIP   2BB:9SO
9 inherited runners/3 scored

Zach Morton (QC)
8 Games  14.1IP
1.88 ERA/1.186 WHIP   6BB:10SO
5 inherited runners/1 scored

And our winner has definitely had an excellent run:

Tyler Brunnemann (QC)
7 Games    14.1IP
0.61 ERA/0.614 WHIP   2BB:14SO
8 inherited runners/2 scored

APRIL RELIEF PITCHER OF THE MONTH: RHP TYLER BRUNNEMANN

Tyler Brunnemann

From MiLB.com

As a reminder, the Relief Pitchers of the Week for April were:

Josh Zeid
Jason Stoffel
Tyler Brunnemann
Alex Sogard

>>>>>>><<<<<<<

I want to address one final category. I've tried to figure out a way to acknowledge the contributions of catchers in the system. Since catchers seldom play in as many games as other position players, it seems unfair to judge their offensive contributions against those other positions. At the same time, defense is such a huge component of catching, you can't simply ignore that aspect. The best way I can think of to recognize our catchers is to honor offensive and defensive contributions separately. With that said ....

APRIL DEFENSIVE CATCHER OF THE MONTH:  ROBERTO PENA

In his 20 games in April, Pena caught a whopping 68% of all runners attempting to steal. He had a .995 fielding percentage and a 9.40 range factor. Pena was behind the dish in 12 of Lancaster's 16 wins in April.

Roberto Pena - March 2014

Photo by Jayne Hansen

APRIL OFFENSIVE CATCHER OF THE MONTH: JOBDUAN MORALES

Morales only played in 13 games in April, but put up quite an impressive batting line - .378/.463/.578 with six doubles, one home run and 10 RBI. He also managed a very respectable caught stealing rate of 32%.

Jobduan Morales - April 2013

Photo by Jayne Hansen

WTHB Pitcher and Player of the Month for April

I'm going to try something new this year. I will tally the results of all the WTHB Players and Pitchers of the Day during a given month in order to determine Player/Pitcher of the Month for that month. I have added up the honors for April, and the results are impressive. FIFTY players received accolades (or at least an honorable mention) in the daily minor league recaps last month. With that said, here are the winners.

PLAYER OF THE MONTH - ZACH JOHNSON
Johnson earned Player of the Day honors three times during April. He hit .298/.362/.536 at Lancaster in April and was just promoted to Corpus Christi today. He leads the Astros minor league system in doubles with 10, and has two triples, two home runs and 20 RBI so far this season.

PITCHERS OF THE MONTH - (THREE-WAY TIE) JAKE BUCHANAN, TRAVIS BALLEW, AND VINCENT VELASQUEZ
All three of these players were named as Pitcher of the Day three separate times during the month of April.

Jake Buchanan is 2-0 in seven appearances (five starts) with a 1.47 ERA and a 0.717 WHIP. He has walked only two batters this season while striking out 16.

Travis Ballew has three saves and 17 strikeouts over only seven and two-thirds innings. His SO/9 is 20 and batters are hitting only .172 against him.

Vincent Velasquez is one of only four Astros farmhands to have gotten to three wins already this season. His ERA is 2.45 and his WHIP is 0.818. He has accumulated 10.9 strikeouts per nine innings and a .156 batting average against.

OTHER PLAYERS RECEIVING TWO PITCHER/PLAYER OF THE DAY HONORS DURING THE MONTH OF APRIL:

Carlos Correa
Bobby Doran
Carlos Perez
Nick Tropeano
Terrell Joyce
Asher Wojciechowski
David Rollins
Jake Elmore
Luis Cruz
Austin Wates
Brian Holmes