The Houston Astros had an outstanding month of pitching in August, earning them well-deserved recognition in the American League. Right-hander Spencer Arrighetti was named the league’s Rookie of the Month. At the same time, left-hander Josh Hader took home the Reliever of the Month award. It marked the first time since August 2019 that two Astros players won monthly awards in the same month. Alex Bregman was named Player of the Month, and Yordan Alvarez claimed Rookie of the Month honors.
Spencer Arrighetti’s Remarkable Rookie Month
Spencer Arrighetti showcased his talent throughout August with some of the most dominant pitching performances of any rookie in recent memory. Posting an impressive 1.94 ERA and holding opponents to a .168 batting average, Arrighetti struck out 47 batters over 32 1/3 innings in five starts. His stellar strikeout numbers placed him in elite company—he became only the second rookie in the modern era to record at least 47 strikeouts while allowing 19 or fewer hits in a calendar month. The only other pitcher to achieve this feat was Kerry Wood, who struck out 60 batters for the Chicago Cubs in 1998.
Arighetti set a record in the American League with a 12-strikeout game against the Tampa Bay Rays on August 4, followed by a 13-strikeout game against the Boston Red Sox on August 10. He became the first rookie to record 12 or more strikeouts in back-to-back outings. His accomplishments earned him Rookie of the Month honors, the first time an Astros pitcher has claimed this award since Colin McHugh in September 2014.
Josh Hader’s Dominant Relief Performance
Left-hander Josh Hader continues to prove himself as one of the most dominant relievers in baseball. Hader went 3-1 with eight saves in August, recording a remarkable 0.68 ERA over 13 1/3 innings in 13 appearances. Opponents struggled mightily against him, hitting just .071 with a 0.60 WHIP, while he struck out 17 batters. His performances were part of his streak of 29 consecutive saves, the second-longest single-season saves streak in Astros history and the longest in the American League this season.
This honor marked Hader’s sixth career Reliever of the Month award and his first with the Houston Astros. His previous recognition came in April 2023 when he pitched for the San Diego Padres. Hader ranks second among AL relievers this season in strikeouts (90) and strikeouts per nine innings (13.43), solidifying his position as one of the league’s best bullpen arms.
Astros’ Pitching Staff Sets Historic Mark
The Astros’ pitching dominance extended beyond just Arrighetti and Hader. As a team, Houston’s pitching staff held opponents to a combined .185 batting average during August. It was the second-lowest team opponent batting average in a month in MLB history, further highlighting the collective strength of the Astros’ arms.
As the season approaches its final stretch, the Astros’ pitching staff is peaking at the right time, positioning them for a deep postseason run.