How Astros' young guns will play major role in Houston’s pursuit of glory
GREAT EXPECTATIONS
13 March
GREAT EXPECTATIONS
The Houston Astros enter the 2025 season with intriguing roster decisions and key players working their way back from injury. With Opening Day approaching, one of the biggest questions is whether Cam Smith makes the team—and if he does, is it because of his talent or a lack of strong alternatives?
Cam Smith and the outfield puzzle
The Astros have long prioritized defense, making the possibility of starting two outfielders (Jose Altuve, Cam Smith) with no experience before this spring a curious decision. Chas McCormick is a solid defender, but his below-average arm strength limits his effectiveness in right field. If McCormick gets the nod over Smith, he'll be a better overall defender. But an outfield of Altuve, Jake Meyers, and McCormick might have one of the weakest throwing arms in the league. That’s why the Astros might take the gamble on Smith developing defensively in right—his power bat could make up for the learning curve in the field.
Plus, Altuve and Smith will gain experience as the season progresses, and by the time the playoffs roll around, both could be much-improved defensively.
Spencer Arrighetti’s new secret weapon
Spencer Arrighetti is making adjustments of his own, working on a sinker to generate more ground balls. Opposing batters slugged over .500 against his four-seam fastball in 2024, which made up about 40% of his arsenal. Given that he threw only 10 sinkers last season, per Baseball Savant, this is a major shift in approach.
Arrighetti is an extreme fly-ball pitcher, but he struggles to finish batters off and often throws too many pitches early in games. In his most recent outing, this Thursday, he needed over 50 pitches to get through the first three innings. If the sinker helps him get more weak contact and ground balls, he could take a leap similar to the one Hunter Brown made in his development.
Injury updates and roster moves
The Astros are also dealing with several injuries and rehab assignments:
Final thoughts
The Astros have some big decisions ahead, particularly in the outfield. If Cam Smith breaks camp with the team, will it be a testament to his offensive potential or a reflection of the Astros' lack of depth? Perhaps a little of both.
Meanwhile, Spencer Arrighetti’s sinker could be a game-changer for his development, potentially helping him become a more efficient starter. With key players like McCullers and Garcia on the mend, the pitching staff is looking like a strength for the ball club.
We have so much more to cover. Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!
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Jake Bauers hit a two-run homer as the Milwaukee Brewers got all their runs in the first inning of a 4-3 victory over the Houston Astros on Tuesday.
The Brewers produced that big first-inning outburst against Hayden Wesneski, who hadn’t allowed more than three runs in any of his previous five starts this season.
Rhys Hoskins opened the scoring with a two-out, two-run double off the center-field wall. Bauers followed that up by clearing that center-field wall as he connected on a 1-2 pitch and delivered a 416-foot drive.
Wesneski (1-3) didn’t allow any more runs but only lasted four innings. He struck out three while allowing five hits and two walks.
Milwaukee’s Chad Patrick (2-3) worked a career-high 6 2/3 innings and carried a one-hit shutout into the seventh before the Astros got to him.
After Yainer Diaz and Jake Meyers hit consecutive one-out singles, Brendan Rodgers hit a three-run homer with two outs to cut Milwaukee’s lead to 4-3. Rodgers’ drive to right field was his first homer of the season.
Rodgers with his first Astros HR!#BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/hvR07Tbxbt
— Houston Astros (@astros) May 7, 2025
The Astros had runners on first and second with two outs in the eighth, but Nick Mears came out of the bullpen and got Diaz to hit an inning-ending grounder to shortstop Joey Ortiz. Mears had gotten the Brewers out of a two-on, one-out jam in a 5-1 victory over the Astros a night earlier.
Trevor Megill retired the side in order in the ninth for his fourth save in five opportunities. Meyers led off the inning with a deep fly that Jackson Chourio caught at the center-field warning track.
Houston trailed 4-3 with one out in the eighth when Brewers catcher William Contreras threw out Jose Altuve, who was attempting to advance to second on a pitch in the dirt. Isaac Paredes walked and Christian Walker singled immediately after that second out, but the Astros couldn't capitalize.
Patrick, a 26-year-old rookie, hasn't allowed more than three runs in any of his seven starts.
Left-hander Framber Valdez (1-4, 4.39 ERA) pitches for Houston and right-hander Quinn Priester (1-0, 5.79) starts for Milwaukee as the Brewers attempt to complete the sweep Wednesday afternoon.