Astros Countdown: Top Five Players to Watch in June

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May 29, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Houston Astros pitcher Brad Peacock (41) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports /

Brad Peacock has been one of the biggest surprises of 2017. The right-hander has a 2.13 ERA with a 0.99 WHIP in 14 appearances. With a .138 batting average against, Peacock is fooling hitters, striking out 38 in 25.1 innings of work.

Starting the year as a reliever, Peacock moved to the starting rotation in May and continued his success. In two starts, Peacock gave up four runs in nine innings of work. A 4.00 ERA may not seem as good as a 1.10 ERA as a reliever, but he was almost as unhittable as a starter like he was in the relief role. He only gave up five hits and walked three in his nine innings of work, amounting to a 0.89 WHIP and a .156 batting average against. The strikeout numbers did not die down either as Peacock struck out 16 batters.

These are fantastic numbers. However, if Peacock is going to stay in the starting rotation long term, he is going to have to last longer in games. In his two starts, he left in the middle of the fifth inning each time with his pitch count in the range of 70-80 pitches. That is a good run for a long reliever, but Astros manager A.J. Hinch is going to expect him to go longer than 4.1 innings per start.

With Charlie Morton on the 10-day disabled list, the Astros are counting on Peacock to pick up where he left off. If Peacock continues to pitch spectacularly with an extended amount of work, he may be there to stay.

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