%20%20--%3E%0A%3Csvg%20version%3D%221.1%22%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20xmlns%3Axlink%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F1999%2Fxlink%22%20x%3D%220px%22%20y%3D%220px%22%0A%09%20viewBox%3D%220%200%201055.1%20200%22%20style%3D%22enable-background%3Anew%200%200%201055.1%20200%3B%22%20xml%3Aspace%3D%22preserve%22%3E%0A%3Cstyle%20type%3D%22text%2Fcss%22%3E%0A%09.st0%7Bfill%3A%23231F20%3B%7D%0A%09.st1%7Bfill%3A%230E203C%3B%7D%0A%09.st2%7Bfill%3A%23EC4324%3B%7D%0A%09.st3%7Bfill%3A%23FFFFFF%3B%7D%0A%3C%2Fstyle%3E%0A%3Cg%20id%3D%22Template%22%3E%0A%3C%2Fg%3E%0A%3Cg%20id%3D%22Layer_2%22%3E%0A%09%3Cpath%20class%3D%22st3%22%20d%3D%22M58.3%2C200.3h82.4c12.4%2C0%2C21.7-1.5%2C28-4.5c20.2-9.6%2C30.2-26.1%2C30.2-49.3c0-3.2-0.2-9.3-0.6-18.3h-65.1v14.9%0A%09%09c-0.9%2C3.9-3.4%2C5.8-7.5%2C5.8H73.2c-5%2C0-7.5-2.5-7.5-7.5V59.2c0-5%2C2.5-7.5%2C7.5-7.5h52.5c5%2C0%2C7.5%2C2.1%2C7.5%2C6.4v10.8h65.7V55.7%0A%09%09c0-16.3-3.8-28.3-11.4-36.1c-8.8-12.9-24.7-19.3-47.4-19.3H58.9C47%2C0.3%2C38%2C1.7%2C32%2C4.3c-21.3%2C9-32%2C26.1-32%2C51.4v88%0A%09%09c0%2C16.5%2C3.6%2C28.7%2C10.9%2C36.6C20.1%2C193.7%2C35.9%2C200.3%2C58.3%2C200.3z%22%2F%3E%0A%09%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22st3%22%20points%3D%22596.6%2C64%20596.6%2C0.8%20400.1%2C0.8%20400.1%2C64%20442.7%2C64%20442.7%2C51.3%20466.1%2C51.3%20466.1%2C148.1%20442.1%2C148.1%20%0A%09%09442.1%2C199.9%20554.8%2C199.9%20554.8%2C148.1%20531.5%2C148.1%20531.5%2C51.4%20554.8%2C51.4%20554.8%2C64%20%09%22%2F%3E%0A%09%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22st3%22%20points%3D%22942.4%2C148.5%20942.4%2C200.2%201055.1%2C200.2%201055.1%2C148.5%201031.8%2C148.5%201031.8%2C51.2%201055.1%2C51.2%201055.1%2C0.8%20%0A%09%09943.1%2C0.8%20943.1%2C51.3%20966.3%2C51.3%20966.3%2C80%20888.9%2C80%20888.9%2C51.3%20912.6%2C51.3%20912.6%2C0.5%20800.1%2C0.8%20800.1%2C51.4%20823.5%2C51.4%20823.5%2C148.6%20%0A%09%09800.1%2C148.6%20800.1%2C200.1%20912.6%2C200.1%20912.6%2C148.6%20888.9%2C148.6%20888.9%2C116.4%20966.3%2C116.4%20966.3%2C148.5%20%09%22%2F%3E%0A%09%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22st2%22%20points%3D%22315.5%2C83.9%20299.6%2C34.9%20283.7%2C83.9%20232.2%2C83.9%20273.9%2C114.1%20258%2C163.1%20299.6%2C132.8%20341.3%2C163.1%20%0A%09%09325.4%2C114.1%20367%2C83.9%20%09%22%2F%3E%0A%09%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22st2%22%20points%3D%22715.6%2C83.9%20699.7%2C34.9%20683.8%2C83.9%20632.3%2C83.9%20674%2C114.1%20658%2C163.1%20699.7%2C132.8%20741.3%2C163.1%20%0A%09%09725.4%2C114.1%20767.1%2C83.9%20%09%22%2F%3E%0A%3C%2Fg%3E%0A%3C%2Fsvg%3E%0A)
Houston Astros Double-A Report: Carlos Correa stays hot, Monthly Awards
Similarly to the Triple-A affiliate, the Corpus Christi Hooks have struggled in the past week. The Hooks posted a 2-5 record over the last week, including losing 3 of a 4 game set against the Midland Rockhounds (Oak AA). Despite a losing record, the Hooks ultimately finished with a run differential of just -3, being outscored 37-34. They also are still at the top of the Texas League South, their 14-10 record a two-game margin over the 12-12 Rockhounds.
Star Performers, Batters
Carlos Correa is still putting up insanely good numbers. After originally being left out of the lineup, causing a frenzy on Twitter, Correa went 2×2 and drew 2 walks. All together Correa put together an impressive 10 for 26 week that included a home run, 2 doubles, 4 RBI, 6 walks and 11 stolen bases in 11 attempts. Carlos remains at the top of the Texas League in multiple categories, including a 1.160 OPS and 66 total bases.
Corey Seager, who was promoted to the Triple-A Dodgers last week, is in second in total bases with 54.
More from Climbing Tal's Hill
- Just how much better is the Houston Astros playoff rotation than the rest?
- Houston Astros: A Lineup Change to Spark Offense
- Astros prospect Hunter Brown throws 6 shutout innings in debut
- Always faithful Astros World Series champion Josh Reddick defends the title
- Michael Conforto declines Astros’ 2-year, $30 million offer
Brandon Meredith has been quietly exceeding expectations. Meredith was a 6th round selection of the Astros back in the 2011 draft. So far this season he has 3 home runs, 3 doubles, a triple and a .320/.400/.507 slash line. He also has just 14 strikeouts in 75 at-bats.
Overall this Hooks roster is a lethal force at the plate. Among all eight teams in the Texas League, the Hooks rank first in batting average, on base percentage, doubles while being second in OPS and triples and third in home runs.
Star Performers, Pitchers
The Hooks have been the benefactors of seriously good pitching throughout the season so far. Lance McCullers threw, arguably his best start last Saturday, but was on the hook for a loss. LMJ went 6 innings, striking out 7 and walking just two batters. He did yield two hits and two earned runs. McCullers is 1-1 so far with a 0.90 ERA. Chris Devenski remains scoreless through 19 1/3 innings this season with 16 strikeouts against 4 walks. Overall the staff has the lowest ERA and WHIP of any team in the league, with 3.31 and 1.28 being the pace for those categories.
Roster Moves:
In the past week the Hooks have made a couple of transactions. On April 29 Daniel Minor was activated with Kent Emanuel heading to the disabled list. Joe Sclafani was moved back to Fresno, facilitating Jon Kemmer to be activated. Lastly Chan Moon was promoted to Double-A following Colin Moran being added to the disabled list.
On the next page we will hand out a few awards for the month of April.
Next: Monthly Awards
Starter of the Month: Chris Devenski
Devenski dominated the competition in the month of April. He’s 2-0 so far this season, with two of his appearances coming out of the pen. That’s courtesy of the Astros tandem system. Nonetheless, Devenski has 19 1/3 scoreless innings, including 6.1 frames of no-hit ball on the road in Frisco.
There’s really nothing to analyze regarding Devenski’s start to the 2015 season. His ERA is free of blemishes, his WHIP is an impressive 0.62 and he has done everything that the Hooks management has asked of him.
More from Prospects
- Astros 1st-Round Draft Pick Drew Gilbert Done for the Year
- Astros Utility Prospect David Hensley Called Up to MLB
- Who Should the Astros Consider for a September Call-Up?
- Could the Astros Have 2 Rookie Catchers Next Year?
- First-Round Pick Drew Gilbert Already Called Up to Single-A
Offensive Player of the Month: Carlos Correa
This really is a no-brainer. Carlos Correa took the lessons he learned from big league Spring Training and applied them to his development in the Texas League. As a 20-year old, Correa hit .385 (30 for 78) collecting 11 doubles, a triple, and five home runs. Not only a leader in performance for the Astros system, Correa led all of Double-A baseball in total bases and doubles as well as OPS and slugging percentage.
It probably will not be long before Correa is playing shortstop for the Houston Astros. But Astros GM Jeff Luhnow is persistent on getting Correa some more time at Double-A. A jump to MLB is certainly possible, but I understand that getting Correa to see pitchers try to adapt is a critical step in his development.
Overall the Hooks have shown that the pre-season rankings were accurate. As the season continues, we will see if this loaded team can continue to dominate the Texas League.