Houston Astros Announce Minor League Player Awards For April

The Houston Astros have announced their farm system awards for the month of April.

The Houston Astros player development department has named infielder-outfielder Joey Loperfido the Astros Minor League Player of the Month for April and right-hander Rhett Kouba the Astros Minor League Pitcher of the Month for April.

The 23-year-old Loperfido hit .348 with 13 runs, four doubles, two triples, five home runs, 19 RBI, 10 walks, six stolen bases and a 1.120 OPS in 16 games between High-A Asheville and Double-A Corpus Christi.

Loperfido was selected in the seventh round of the 2021 MLB draft. In his Minor League career, Loperfido is hitting .294 with 93 runs, 33 doubles, six triples, 19 home runs, 94 RBI and a .879 OPS in 143 games. He is ranked as the Astros No.-16 overall prospect by MLB Pipeline.

The 23-year-old Kouba compiled a 3.12 ERA with 25 strikeouts and a .227 opponent batting average in four appearances including three starts in April for Double-A Corpus Christi. In his last start April 27 at Midland, the right-hander allowed one run and one hit with 10 strikeouts in six innings.

Kouba was selected in the 12th round of the 2021 draft. For his Minor League career, Kouba has recorded a 3.64 ERA with 130 strikeouts, 33 walks and a .238 opponent batting average in 28 games including 16 starts.