Astros Minors: Hooks’ Pitching Returns to Dominance

Offense

A Derek Fisher grand slam was one of five long balls from Hooks hitters this week as the Corpus Christi bats continue to heat up from a rough start to the second half. The team batting average was .250 this week, compared to just .216 last week and 10 of 12 Hooks batters had at least one extra-base hit.

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Leading the way with four extra-base hits was Dominican outfielder Ramon Laureano. Since joining the Hooks on July 21st (13 games), Laureano’s slash line of .286/.386/.592 with a .978 OPS. If that seems good, that’s because it is. The AA leader in OPS, Luke Volt of Springfield, has an OPS of .843. The current production from Laureano is likely unsustainable, but the newcomer is making a name for himself in the Texas League.

Perhaps one of the more underrated players in the Houston Astros organization is the Hooks’ own Garrett Stubbs. Stubbs leads all catchers in every level of Houston’s minor league system (with at least 25 games played behind the plate) in hits (81), doubles (17), home runs (8), RBI (48), stolen bases (11), batting average (.295), on-base percentage (.389), slugging percentage (.444), and OPS (.833). This week was no exception as Stubbs had a double and home run with three runs drive in.

Next: Defense and Pitching