Astros Countdown: Top Five Players to Watch in July

Brad Peacock

The month of June was Peacock’s first solely as a starting pitcher. In five starts, he was solid, going 3-1 with a 3.33 ERA and 35 strikeouts in 24.1 innings.

However, like Giles at the end of the bullpen, Peacock really struggled with control. With only a .213 batting average against, he walked 17 batters compared to 19 hits, raising his WHIP to a not-so-good 1.48. Three of his five starts in the month of June were starts in which he threw more than four walks, walking six in his last start against the Oakland A’s on June 29^th.

A number of walks affected the amount of time Peacock lasted in his starts in the month of June. His longest outing of the season was on June 4^th, and he threw 86 pitches through only six innings in his win over the Texas Rangers. He threw strikes only 61 percent of the time this month, which is not what you want to see if you are a starting pitcher.

The Astros seem to like Peacock in the starting role. He has been close to unhittable in that role. However, July is the month to see if his control improves. Walking batters 14.4 percent of the time is unacceptable. If that lowers, he will last longer and could become an ace-like starter the Astros are looking for.