Star Performer of the Week (June 4 thru 10)

After a one-week hiatus the Star Performer Award is back. I just couldn’t find anyone worthy of praise after the dismal 1-6 week that featured four losses in Colorado. Thankfully, the Astros turned things around this week. The team was 3-3 over the last seven days, including a series victory on the road against the White Sox.

The offense provided plenty of fireworks, taking some pressure off of the pitching staff. Lucas Harrell got two of the three wins and gets honorable mention this week. Harrell posted a 1.125 WHIP and a 6/1 K/BB ratio in 13 & 1/3 innings.

Brett Wallace hit the ground running after being recalled from AAA and is this week’s runner-up. Wallace went 8 for 22 (.364) with two HRs and three doubles for the week. Wallace had at least one hit in all six games and drove in a run in each of the three Astros wins. Wallace also drew three walks during the week.

This week’s Star Performer Award goes to none other than Jose Altuve. The diminutive second-baseman played huge for the Astros, going 11 for 27 (.407) with five extra-base hits and six runs scored. Altuve had at least two hits in each of the Astros three victories. Altuve also became the first Astro since Kazuo Matsui to successfully steal home. It appears as though Altuve may have taken the leadoff spot away from Jordan Schafer for the foreseeable future.