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Astros Minors: Quad Cities River Bandits All-Stars Selected

By Mike Hackemack

Jun 7, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA;Houston Astros fans look for autographs before the game against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 7, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA;Houston Astros fans look for autographs before the game against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Houston Astros Single-A affiliate Quad Cities River Bandits had three players selected to play in the Midwest League All-Star game.

The Midwest League Midsummer Classic will be held on Tuesday, June 20 at Dow Diamond in Midland, Michigan. The game will feature players from all 16 teams in the Midwest League. Representing Astros Class-A Quad Cities River Bandits will be position player Yordan Alvarez and pitchers Carson LaRue and Enoli Paredes.

Alvarez was acquired by Houston last year in a trade with the Dodgers. Relief pitcher Josh Fields was dealt away to Los Angeles, and Alvarez joined the River Bandits in mid-May. Alvarez is a 19-year-old Cuban and in 20 games is batting a ridiculous .414 with three long balls and 13 RBI’s. If Alvarez continues to dominate the way he is, he could soon get promoted to High-A Buies Creek.

Alvarez is a name to watch. Once he matures more, he could develop into a powerful hitter in the next few years. I know Talking Stros co-host Brandon really likes what Alvarez can offer. Jeff Luhnow was clever by adding him via trade after they couldn’t sign him.

The other All-Stars.

LaRue has been rock solid from the bump this season. He is 6-1 with a 2.13 ERA on the year. He has 47 strikeouts in 50.2 innings and a minuscule 0.95 WHIP. The 21-year-old right played at Cowley College in Kansas and was drafted by Houston in the 14th round last year.

Paredes, a 21-year-old from the Dominican Republic, has enjoyed a nice first half of the season. In 38.1 innings pitched he has a 2.11 ERA and 33 strikeouts. He also owns the lowest WHIP on the Quad Cities staff at 0.89.

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Players that were likely on the bubble and did not get selected are P Ryan Hartman (3-1, 2.72) and 3B Rodrigo Ayarza (.316, 7 HR). There was a reason, they have been promoted to Buies Creek.

***Stats from MiLB.com and Baseball-Reference***