Astros: Joshua James, Brock Dykxhoorn, Bobby Boyd Lead River Bandits

Astros Class-A Report: Quad Cities River Bandits (August 7-13)

Astros minor leaguers, pitchers Joshua James, Brock Dykxhoorn, and hitters Bobby Boyd and Luis Reynoso, are keeping Quad Cities in the hunt in the second half of the Midwest League Season. Already assured of a playoff berth with their first half championship, the River Bandits continue to be competitive.

After winning 12 in a row, the Bandits suffered their longest losing streak this season, dropping five straight from August 9-14. They are 11 games over .500 in the second half, yet are in third place in the Western Division. Although Quad Cities is playing well, they remain five games behind the surging Kane County Cougars and Peoria Chiefs.

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Quad Cities does not have a pitcher leading any Midwest League category. However, the staff as a group leads the league in several areas. They are first in wins (74), ERA (2.56), shutouts (14), WHIP (1.14) fewest hits allowed (848), fewest runs (366), fewest earned runs (294), and fewest home runs (40). To put one of these statistics categories in perspective, the next closest team in runs allowed is first place Kane County, who have given up 53 more runs.

As a team, Bandits batters lead in walks (462) and OBP (.346).

Several Bandits hitters are riding hot streaks at the plate in the last ten games. CF Boyd has the hottest bat on the team, at .444 (.280 for the season). 3B Nick Tanielu is hitting .316 (.308/.353/.432 on the season), IF Luis Reynoso is at .363, and 1B Bryan Muniz,.308.

Despite the losing streak, several Quad Cities pitchers have been stellar in the last ten games), with James at 4-1, 2.20 ERA, Ryan Thompson, 2-0, 1.15, and Dykxhoorn with 51 strikeouts.

The Bandits lost seven position players and at least eight pitchers this season to promotions or trades, yet they continue to play great baseball. Manager Josh Bonifay and his staff have done an exceptional job with an often-changing roster. Quad Cities stands a very good chance of winning their third Midwest League Championship in the last five years.

Cover photo courtesy of @QCBanditPhotog.

Other notes:

• The Bandits win streak ended at 12 when they lost on August 9 to Dayton 3-1.
• Bandits pitchers threw four shutouts in the last seven games, and the 14 of the season in a 10-0 stomping of Dayton on August 8.
• Quad Cities was shut out on August 12 by Fort Wayne. It was the first time since June 12 they failed to score in a game. They were also shut out the next night; the first time in four years they were blanked in consecutive games.
• The River Bandits have the best winning percentage in the Astros minor league system: .638 (via Baseball-Ref.com).

Next: Keeping up with the Astros Prospects: RHP Chris Devenski