The Astros sent out the following press release announcing their minor league players of the year:
ASTROS ANNOUNCE 2022 MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE YEAR
HOUSTON, TX - The Houston Astros player development department has named RHP Hunter Brown as the 2022 Astros Minor League Pitcher of the Year, and C Yainer Diaz as the 2022 Astros Minor League Player of the Year.
Both players will be recognized on the field at Minute Maid Park tonight prior to the Astros 7:10 p.m. game against the Phillies.
Brown, 24, had a phenomenal 2022 season that saw him rise from Triple A Sugar Land to the Majors. In 23 appearances (14 starts) with Triple A Sugar Land, he recorded a 2.55 ERA (30ER/106IP) with 134 strikeouts, a .186 opponent batting average and a 1.08 WHIP. At the time of his selection to the Major League roster on September 1, he led the Pacific Coast League in ERA, strikeouts and opponent batting average, while ranking second in wins (9) and WHIP.
Brown has quickly become a key contributor for the Astros this season. In six appearances (two starts) he’s recorded a 1.00 ERA (2ER/18IP) with 19 strikeouts and a .227 opponent batting average.
Brown is rated as the Astros number one overall prospect by MLB.com. He was originally selected in the fifth round of the 2019 MLB Draft out of Wayne State University and signed by Astros scout Scott Oberhelman.
Diaz, 24, had a breakout 2022 season that saw him progress from Double A Corpus Christi to the Major Leagues. In 105 minor league games with Triple A Sugar Land (48g) and Double A Corpus Christi (57g), the catcher batted .306 with 22 doubles, four triples, 25 home runs, 96 RBI and an .898 OPS (.356 OBP / .542 SLG).
Diaz was selected to the Major League roster on September 1. The Dominican recorded his first Major League hit (double) on September 20 at Tampa Bay as a pinch hitter. Diaz is rated as the Astros number two overall prospect by MLB.com
The Astros acquired Diaz on July 30, 2021 from Cleveland with right-handed pitcher Phil Maton in exchange for outfielder Myles Straw.