Astros Double-A Notes: Four Hooks named to All-Star team

Four members of the Corpus Christi Hooks have been named to the Texas League All-Star team.

It’s a good day for four members of the Astros‘ Double-A affiliate Corpus Christi Hooks. Abraham Toro, Bryan Abreu, Colin McKee and Carlos Sanabria were named to the Texas League All-Star roster on Friday.

Meanwhile, J.B. Bukauskas seems to be finding his rhythm after a rough start, and Seth Beer is providing some extra thump to the Hooks lineup.

The All-Stars

The only Hooks position player selected, Toro has been the heart of the offense this season. The switch-hitting third baseman is hitting .295/.397/.482 on the year with 10 homers. The 2016 fifth-round draft pick is currently ranked as the No. 21 prospect in the Astros system.

Abreu’s overall numbers are not impressive, as he owns a 3-2 record and 4.78 ERA for the Hooks. But in 32 innings, he’s struck out 40 and held hitters to just a .173 batting average. Walks are a problem for the Astros’ No. 7 prospect, but scouts think he’s got the best curveball in the team’s minor league system.

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McKee has simply been dominant out of the bullpen for the Hooks, posting a 1.59 ERA in 17 appearances this season, including a 0.46 ERA in his last 10 appearances spanning 19.2 innings. The Astros’ 18th-round draft pick in 2016 has struck out 48 batters in 34 innings and held hitters to a microscopic .135 batting average.

Sanabria owns a 3.28 ERA in 15 relief appearances for the Hooks and has held hitters to a .179 batting average. The 22-year-old was signed as an amateur free agent in 2014 and could continue to rise if he further harnesses his command.

Bukauskas Rights the Ship

The Astros’ fifth-ranked prospect endured a rough start to the season, carrying a 6.92 ERA into June. Since then, he’s posted two consecutive starts of six innings and just one run allowed. He fanned a season-high 10 batters in his most recent start on Wednesday.

Walks have been an issue for Bukauskas, but he’s striking out hitters at a good rate and not allowing too many hits. With improved command and a more consistent changeup, he could well turn into a big league All-Star.

Beer Unfazed by Double-A Pitching

Last year’s first round draft pick is advancing quickly, but he doesn’t look at all overmatched. Beer has posted a .277/.387/.457 batting line through his first 26 games for the Hooks with four homers and five doubles.

His presence in the lineup provides needed protection for Toro, as the two are the heart of the Hooks’ offensive attack. Time will tell how long it takes for Beer to earn yet another promotion.

Javier Continues to Baffle Hitters

Cristian Javier has largely been unheralded, currently ranked as the team’s No. 29 prospect after signing as an amateur free agent in 2015. But he’s had success wherever he’s pitched, including this year in his first taste of Double-A.

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After putting up a 0.94 ERA in Class-A advanced, Javier got the call and has posted a 1.99 ERA in three starts and two relief appearances for the Hooks. His latest outing saw him toss 6.1 scoreless innings with eight strikeouts. Keep an eye on this kid.

***Statistics courtesy of MiLB.com***