Astros Top Performers in April

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Apr 30, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; The Houston Astros celebrate the win against the Oakland Athletics at Minute Maid Park. Houston Astros won 7 to 2. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /

One year ago, the Astros were entering the month of May with a dreadful 7-17 record. Needless to say that last season’s first month was a rather forgettable one in terms of baseball results. The most recent April, though, proved to be different.

Thanks to various contributions, some more noteworthy than others, the Astros finished this latest edition of April baseball with a 16-9 record. Regardless of the result from last night’s heated affair with the Texas Rangers, this is definitely the start that Houston needed to set themselves up for success.

While there is plenty of praise to be spread around the Astros roster, however, there are three players in particular that stood out with their contributions.

Apr 30, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel (60) is pulled from the game agains the Oakland Athletics in the seventh inning at Minute Maid Park. Houston Astros won 7 to 2. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /

Top Performer #1: Dallas Keuchel

Dallas Keuchel has had an impressive start to his bounce back season. The bearded southpaw went from winning a Cy Young award in 2015 to a struggling starter on a competitive club in 2016. Not long after his struggles began the question arose whether Keuchel was just a two-season wonder. If we can rely upon his results from the month of April then the answer has to be a resounding “NO”!

Statistics as of 4/30: 44.2 IP, 1.21 ERA, 3.38 FIP, 62.8% GB%, 21.8% K%

The Astros needed the Keuchel of old to resurface in 2017, and thus far he has held up his end of the deal. As a whole, the Astros starting rotation had done relatively well when you consider that Collin McHugh has yet to throw a meaningful pitch this year. This further stresses the need for a healthy and effective Keuchel for the entire season. Thus far, he has been everything that the Astros needed.

Sep 14, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros designated hitter Yulieski Gurriel (10) celebrates in the dugout after scoring a run during the eighth inning against the Texas Rangers at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

Top Performer #2: Yulieski Gurriel

Like the majority of the Astros offense, Yulieski Gurriel had a cold start to his 2017 season. In his first 35 plate appearances, Gurriel posted a 32 wRC+ with a .029 ISO and a 0.0% BB%. This is not optimal for any first baseman, or player for that matter, in baseball.

Those abysmal statistics that I just mentioned were as of April 15th. Fast forward to April 30th and Gurriel flipped the narrative on us.

Statistics as of 4/30: .329/.354/.481, 138 wRC+, 2 HR, 7 RBI

Gurriel’s success is definitely something good. Anytime a player can post those kind of numbers then it has to be beneficial to the team. However, there are a few issues that may prevent us from tabbing Gurriel as the team’s next best hitter. One is his BABIP, which came in at a high mark of .364. For those who may not know, a .300 BABIP is about average. The act of maintaining a .364?BABIP is awfully difficult as only seven players achieved the feat in 2016. I’m not saying Gurriel can’t achieve that level, but it is unlikely from a player that has entered his first full major league season.

The other issue that immediately jumps out to me is Gurriel’s remarkably low walk rate of 1.2%. Thanks to the high BABIP, this hasn’t been a metric which has been paid much attention to as of late. Regardless, the early results have been encouraging to a certain extent. He clearly helped the team or I wouldn’t have named him to this list. I recommend, though, that we exercise a cautious optimism with Gurriel until further notice.

May 1, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros relief pitcher Chris Devenski (47) delivers a pitch during the eighth inning against the Texas Rangers at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

Top Performer #3: Chris Devenski

Sooner or later, we will feel tired about talking and writing about Chris Devenski so much. But now isn’t that time.

Here is my hot take: Devenski has been arguably been the best Astros pitcher in 2017. Yes, I would even rank him ahead of Dallas Keuchel, even if it is by a slight margin.

Statistics as of 4/30: 16.2 IP, 2.16 ERA, 1.88 FIP, 52.5% K%, 3.3% BB%

You see, Devenski’s first month of the season has been notable in numerous ways. For example, his strikeout percentage, 52.5%, is easily the best out of any Astros pitcher with at least ten innings pitched this season. This also happens to be best strikeout percentage by all pitchers with ten innings pitched in all of baseball entering yesterday.

Next: Dallas Keuchel And The Tale Of Two Aprils

Throw in the fact that he doesn’t walk anyone and strikes out at least half of the batters he’s faced is something else. When it is all said and done, Devenski may go down as the team’s best pitcher in 2017 as a reliever. The month of April could prove to be the launching point of an amazing season.

**Statistics courtesy of Fangraphs**

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