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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José Soriano and two relievers combined for a two-hitter and Oswald Peraza hit his first home run since a trade from the Yankees to lead the Los Angeles Angels to a 3-0 win over the Houston Astros on Sunday.
Soriano (10-9) allowed one hit and struck out eight in seven innings. Luis García allowed one hit in a scoreless eighth and Kenley Jansen threw a perfect ninth for his 25th save.
There were two outs in the fifth when Peraza connected off Hunter Brown (10-7) into the bullpen in right-center field to put the Angels up 1-0. His homer comes after his two-run single in the ninth inning Saturday helped Los Angeles to a 4-1 victory that snapped a three-game skid.
Yoan Moncada walked to start the eighth and scored on Mike Trout’s double that bounced off the wall in center field to make it 2-0. Taylor Ward walked before Luis Rengifo reached and Trout scored on an error by Lance McCullers Jr. when the pitcher overthrew first base.
Yordan Alvarez singled with no outs in the first and Soriano walked a batter in the second and sixth innings. The Astros didn’t get another hit until Ramón Urías doubled with one out in the eighth inning. Los Angeles outfielder Taylor Ward was injured trying to make a catch on that hit when he crashed face-first into the metal scoreboard in left field.
He was carted off the field holding a towel to the right side of his face. He was taken to a hospital by ambulance where interim manager Ray Montgomery said he would receive stitches to close the cut and be evaluated.
Brown allowed three hits and a run with five strikeouts in six innings. McCullers Jr. allowed three hits and two runs in his first relief appearance since 2018.
Key moment
The home run by Peraza.
Key stat
It’s the fifth time the Astros have been shut out this month.
Up next
LHP Yusei Kikuchi (6-9, 3.68 ERA) will start for Los Angeles in the series finale Monday against RHP Luis Garcia, who’ll make his return after sitting out since May 2023 recovering from Tommy John surgery.
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