Astros: Top Performers Thus Far in 2017

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Apr 9, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros relief pitcher Chris Devenski (47) pitches during the twelfth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

Top Performer #3: Chris Devenski

Bold hot take alert: the Devenski trade from 2012 will go down as one of the best Astros trades of the latest millennium. Or, to be more modest, the past twenty years.

Sure, this optimism of mine is be a byproduct of being bullish on Devenski’s first few appearances in April. How could you blame me, or anyone else, though? Don’t forget that he opened his season by pitching four innings on two separate occasions while striking out seven batters each time. How about his next two appearances in which he pitched a combined three innings while striking out seven batters? Or the fact that his 0.82 ERA, which is terrific by the way, is eclipsed by his 0.57 FIP. Basically this means Devenski has pitched better when you give him the league average on balls in play.

Next: Astros in Fantasy: Best and Worst Performances - Week Two

Simply put, Devenski has been of the Astros best pitchers this season. He has arguably been one of the best pitchers in baseball as well. Now, there is no telling how long this will last as all pitchers eventually run into some issues during a full season. But I am letting the good times roll with Devenski.

**Statistics courtesy of Fangraphs**

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