Astros top performers in the month of May

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May 31, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Houston Astros outfielder Springer (4) celebrates his home run in the seventh inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /

As I type this post, the Astros currently sit with a 38-16 record through the first two months of the season. This is the best record in the league, which isn’t a statement we usually see about Houston baseball. Ever.

Like all contending teams, the Astros are receiving contributions from high and low. The major league roster is filled with talent, and there is even more talent lurking in the minors. Other teams should fear what the Astros are and what they may become. They probably won’t be as baseball is unpredictable. One can hope and dream, though.

But I’m not going to type any more negative statements for the time being. No, I want to now concentrate on the present, which includes the Astros top performers for the month that we just saw come to a close: May. Thus also happen to be one of the best months in terms of the win-loss record in franchise history.

May 23, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher McCullers Jr. (43) delivers a pitch during the second inning against the Detroit Tigers at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

Top Performer #1: Lance McCullers

When you think of the Astros rotation, your mind automatically shifts to Dallas Keuchel. And I don’t blame you. After all, he is likely a frontrunner for the AL Cy Young this season.

But there is another Astros starter that may see his name enter the conversation soon: Lance McCullers, Houston’s own version of the “Dark Knight.”

In six May starts, McCullers posted an incredible 0.99 ERA which also included a 22-inning scoreless streak. This streak happened to be the longest by an Astros starter since Roy Oswalt.

Lance McCullers’ now-22-inning scoreless streak is the longest by an Astro since Roy Oswalt’s 32 consecutive scoreless innings in 2008.
— Christian Boutwell (@byCBoutwell) May 24, 2017

McCullers’ success was one of the main reasons the Astros had a record-setting franchise May with 21 wins. After all, the Astros went 5-1 in games started by the former 2012 draft pick. In particular, it appears that his 65.2% GB% last month played a part in this success. His GB% career average is 52.8%, so, yeah, I think may have helped his cause.

Like the Dark Knight was to the city of Gotham in Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy, McCullers isn’t the starter that the Houston needs. Instead, he is the starter that the city deserves.

May 6, 2017; Anaheim, CA, USA; Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa (1) follows through on the double in the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels during an MLB baseball game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Top Performer #2: Carlos Correa

After the month of April, it was apparent that Carlos Correa wasn’t at the pinnacle of his game.

April 2017 statistics: .233/.309/.349, 80 wRC+, .160 ISO, .290 BABIP

The amount of smack talk directed towards Correa online during that first month of the season was a bit unreal. If you are on Twitter long enough, you start seeing statements similar to “overrated” or “not as good as advertised.”

Fast forward the end of May, and the narrative has suddenly flipped.

May 2017 statistics: .386/.457/.673, 206 wRC+, .287 ISO, .410 BABIP

In essence, his April and May were polar opposites in almost every possible way. His improvement, though, is one of the key reasons that the Astros had such a successful month of May.

As long as Correa performs at the level we have witnessed firsthand in his career then the Astros lineup should continue to be one of the best. And there isn’t a reason to not expect such great things from Correa. His track record up until this point has been anything but disappointing. Sure, he may not ever be the clear cut top player that so many desire for him. But if he does, then this May showing could be seen as the starting point.

May 29, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Houston Astros first baseman Marwin Gonzalez (9) doubles during the ninth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports /

Top Performer #3: Marwin Gonzalez

If there is an early season favorite for team MVP, I would have to say that Marwin Gonzalez may have a fighting chance. After all, his 179 wRC+ on the season would be ranked sixth out of all MLB batters with at least 150 plate appearances. That’s right; Gonzalez is being mentioned in the same breath as the likes of Mike Trout and Bryce Harper. That’s not something to ignore.

You should thank this impressive showing by Gonzalez in May as the reason that this surge even exists today. Sure, his April stats were good and all. By golly, though, his May was arguably better than Correa’s.

May 2017 statistics: .382/.461/.737, 220 wRC+, .355 ISO, .415 BABIP

At certain points in the past month, Gonzalez was the catalyst for the Astros offensive onslaught against their weary opponents. Arguably, he has been the most deserving of All-Star consideration out of the Astros position players.

"Marwin’s having an exceptional season. It’s All-Star worthy at this point."--@Astros manager A.J. Hinch on #ASGworthy Marwin Gonzalez.
— Richard Justice (@richardjustice) May 28, 2017

Next: Astros are not getting the early votes for the All-Star game

Only time will tell if Gonzalez can keep this kind of pace up all season long. If he does, then the Astros already potent lineup will likely remain one of the best, if not THE best, in baseball.

**Statistics courtesy of Fangraphs**

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