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Astros have two AL players of the month

By Cody Poage

May 31, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa (1) hits a two run home run in the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
May 31, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa (1) hits a two run home run in the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /
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The month of May overall was good to the Astros in terms of wins and losses. Now, you can add a couple of player accolades to the list.

Thanks to the efforts of Carlos Correa and Lance McCullers, the Astros are recipients of both the AL Player of the Month and the AL Pitcher of the Month for May. That’s right; Correa and McCullers were named the award winners in the same month following their impressive results.

Correa May 2017 statistics: .386/.457/.673, 7 HR, 26 RBI, .287 ISO, 206 wRC+

McCullers May 2017 statistics: 6 GS, 4-0, 36.1 IP, 0.99 ERA, 2.79 FIP, 37 SO

The Astros duo marks the first time that the same team came away with both awards since the Boston Red Sox with David Ortiz and Jon Lester way back in May 2010. This was also the first time in franchise history that Astros won both awards in the same month.

Both players are equally deserving of these awards. After all, Correa was one of the best hitters in the game after a slow start to the season. Take a look at his spray chart for the month of May, courtesy of MLB Statcast.

McCullers also pitched 22 consecutive scoreless innings during which his previous road woes seem to disappear. Even if it is for the time being. But his results are definitely something positive to monitor going forward.

Correa’s and McCullers’ effort was one of the primary reasons that the Astros went 22-7 and plus-67 run differential last month. Sure, an impressive record like that requires a team effort in baseball, but you can’t simply deny the impact that both players have on the team.

Ironically the Astros duo was taken early on in the 2012 MLB draft, which may go down as one of the best in franchise history. Only time will tell for sure though.

Next: Astros Countdown: Top Five Players to Watch in June

Honestly, this should be the first of numerous awards for Correa and McCullers as they advance through their careers. Yesterday’s announcement could just happen to be the first of many.

**Statistics courtesy of Fangraphs and MLB Statcast**

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