Here’s an intriguing Hunter Brown comp that pays off a lot sooner than you think for Astros
SPOT ON ASSESSMENT
17 February 2023
Astros fans have all heard the comparisons between Justin Verlander and Hunter Brown based on how similar their mechanics are. But there's another Hunter Brown comp that actually makes a little more sense based on what role Brown will likely be asked to play for Houston.
Brown is expected to work as the team's sixth starter, and bounce between the rotation and the bullpen, like Cristian Javier has been doing for the team. Javier started last season as the team's sixth starter/ relief pitcher, and now has a 5-year contract extension and is considered by many to be Houston's second-best starter behind Framber Valdez.
With this in mind, is it crazy to think Brown could have a similar ascension for the Astros this season and enter the 2024 season as the third or fourth starter? Javier ended up making 25 starts in the regular season last year due to scheduling and injuries to the rotation. Javier made his first start of 2022 in mid-April, with the team going on a long stretch of games with no days off.
The Astros play eight straight games to start 2023, and we expect the organization to be careful with Lance McCullers due to his history of arm issues. Especially now, with him already experencing soreness in his throwing arm. So it's not out of the realm of possibility that we might see Hunter Brown make a start in the first week of the season.
Be sure to check out the video above as we discuss how Hunter Brown could eventually be the team's next Cristian Javier, what the expectations are for him this season, and much more!
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Astros show signs of life in blowout win over Brewers
May 7, 2025, 3:25 pm
Framber Valdez pitched seven strong innings and Jeremy Peña homered and drove in four runs as the Houston Astros defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 9-1 on Wednesday.
Houston earned just its second victory in seven games to snap Milwaukee’s three-game winning streak and leave both teams with .500 records. The Brewers were attempting to sweep a series from the Astros for the first time since 2012.
The Astros led 3-1 before Peña broke the game open by delivering a three-run homer to left off reliever Elvin Rodriguez with two outs in the sixth inning.
JP3-run bomb. #BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/En0XXWdlt0
— Houston Astros (@astros) May 7, 2025
Valdez (2-4) struck out seven while allowing three hits, two walks and one run to earn his first win since the Astros’ March 27 season opener. He threw a season-high 101 pitches.
The Framchise is all business.#BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/J8EGGDk5gl
— Houston Astros (@astros) May 7, 2025
Milwaukee’s only run off Valdez came on Eric Haase’s fifth-inning homer, a 425-foot drive to center.
The Astros took a 1-0 lead off Quinn Priester (1-1) in the second inning as Jake Meyers hit a two-out single and scored on Zach Dezenzo’s double.
RBI double for Zach gets us on the board early! #BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/AilCY27A9d
— Houston Astros (@astros) May 7, 2025
The Brewers have lost all 13 games this season in which their opponent scored first.
Five-time All-Star closer Josh Hader worked the ninth while pitching in Milwaukee for the first time since the Brewers traded him in 2022.
Key moment
The Astros led 1-0 and had runners on third and second with one out in the fifth when Peña hit a bouncer to third.
Safe all day. #BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/OVjcvev7cM
— Houston Astros (@astros) May 7, 2025
The throw home beat Dezenzo to the plate. Home plate umpire Chris Conroy initially ruled Dezenzo out, but the Astros challenged the call and replays showed the runner slid home ahead of Haase’s tag.
Key stat
Valdez has now pitched at least seven innings an MLB-leading 57 times since 2020.
Up next
The Astros host the Cincinnati Reds on Friday. Scheduled pitchers are right-hander Hunter Brown (5-1, 1.67) for the Astros and right-hander Nick Martinez (1-3, 4.19) for the Reds.
The Brewers visit the Tampa Bay Ray on Friday. Left-hander José Quintana (4-1, 2.83) will pitch for the Brewers.
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