See which prospects had the best months of June!
Let’s take a look at the best performances in the Astros system in June.
*Just a note, these are my picks for the month*
Previous POTM:
AAA: Sugar Land Space Cowboys
HITTER: Brice Matthews, INF
- June Stats: 25 G, .306 BA/.409 OBP/.551 SLG, 6 2B, 3 3B, 4 HR, 16 RBI, 7 SB
Matthews got off to a bit of a slow start this season but put together a really strong month of June. In 25 games, Matthews hit .306 with 6 doubles, 3 triples, 4 homers and 7 stolen bases. Overall this season he has 10 homers and 23 stolen bases. While the strikeouts have been a bit high, with a little improvement Matthews might be ready for the next challenge.
PITCHER: Ray Gaither, RHP
- June Stats: 12 G, 0.63 ERA, 14.1 IP, 8 H, 1 ER, 8 BB, 17 SO
The pitcher of the month typically goes to starters, but Gaither was too good to ignore in relief. He pitched in 12 games in June and allowed 1 run over 14.1 innings while picking up 17 strikeouts. He also held opponents to just a .157 batting average against and just one extra base hit in 60 plate appearances.
AA: Corpus Christi Hooks
HITTER: Zach Cole, OF
- June Stats: 14 G, .240 BA/.321 OBP/.640 SLG, 3 2B, 3B, 5 HR, 8 RBI, 4 SB
Cole has been a bit up and down this season, but he has huge tools and showed them off in June. In 14 games for the Hooks, Cole connected on 5 homers and stole 4 bases while posting a .961 OPS. Despite the slow start, Cole is up to 8 home runs and 13 stolen bases in 43 games this season.
PITCHER: Trey Dombroski, LHP
- June Stats: 4 G, 2.49 ERA, 21.2 IP, 20 H, 6 ER, 5 BB, 19 SO
Dombroski has made great improvements this season and that continued into the month of June. In four games for the Hooks, Dombroski posted a 2.49 ERA while racking up 19 strikeouts in 21.2 innings. After a rough year in 2024, Dombroski looks to be back on track and could follow in line with Gusto and Gordon one day.
A+: Asheville Tourists
HITTER: Will Bush, C
- June Stats: 18 G, .276 BA/.432 OBP/.569 SLG, 5 2B, 4 HR, 7 RBI, 2 SB
Bush was selected by the Astros with their 16th round pick in 2023 out of Tyler Junior College. He was in this spot for May and finds him back here again, this time even better. In 18 games, the 21-year-old hit .276 with an OPS over 1.000. He also connected on 5 doubles, 4 homers and drew 15 walks in 18 games.
PITCHER: Anderson Brito, RHP
- June Stats: 3 G, 1.54 ERA, 11.2 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 6 BB, 19 K
Brito has been really good this season and flying up the ranks in 2024. In three games in June, Brito posted a 1.54 ERA with 19 strikeouts in 11.2 innings. He allowed just 4 hits, good for .103 batting average against. Unfortunately, he ended up on the injured list during the month.
A: Fayetteville Woodpeckers
HITTER: Cesar Hernandez, OF
- June Stats: 19 G, .269 BA/.363 OBP/.463 SLG, 5 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 6 SB
Hernandez received a big bonus a couple of years ago and after a tough 2024, he has turned things around this season. He was great in June hitting .269 with 5 doubles, 2 homers and 6 stolen bases over 19 games. This season, Hernandez has 9 home runs and 23 stolen bases in 63 games in Single-A.
PITCHER: Joan Ogando, RHP
- June Stats: 5 G, 3.18 ERA, 22.2 IP, 13 H, 8 ER, 7 BB, 22 K
Ogando has been up and down this year, but like others on this list, he turned it on for the month of June. In five games, the right-hander posted a 3.18 ERA while striking out 22 over 22.2 innings. He held opponents to just a .167 batting average against during the month of June.