How Astros' spring of enthrall (and concern) could force unexpected moves by Houston
BUCKLE UP!
06 March
A lot to unpack here. Composite Getty Image.
As the Astros gear up for the season, several key questions loom over the team, from depth concerns at first base to emerging leadership roles and long-term positional shifts.
Can the Astros withstand a Christian Walker injury?
Houston made a big bet on soon-to-be 34-year-old Christian Walker as its everyday first baseman, but what happens if he misses time with his oblique injury? Jon Singleton, the primary backup, is in excellent shape but has struggled this spring, hitting just .118. Here's something to keep an eye on. Walker's injury could also create a platoon situation between Singleton and Victor Caratini. Either way, the Astros' depth at the position could be tested early, raising concerns about whether their strategy of signing aging stars could backfire again.
Hunter Brown taking on leadership role
Pitcher Hunter Brown is stepping into a leadership position this season, according to both Spencer Arrighetti and manager Joe Espada. With veterans like Justin Verlander no longer in the clubhouse, Brown's rise as a vocal presence signals a changing of the guard within the Astros’ rotation. Which could be an even bigger factor when Framber Valdez likely exits after the season with free agency looming. Plus, Arrighetti is working on a new secret pitch. Could it be a splitter?
Peña gets the green light to run
Jeremy Peña’s elite sprint speed (98th percentile) has long made him a stolen base threat, but he didn’t have the green light last year. That could be changing in 2025, as Espada appears to be giving Peña the freedom to run. The shortstop has set an ambitious goal of 50 stolen bases—and has a bet in place with first base coach Dave Clark based on that number. Espada, however, predicts a more conservative 30 steals.
Cam Smith’s position switch?
Cam Smith has been a standout at camp, earning praise from GM Dana Brown as the most exciting player to watch. However, with just five games of Double-A experience, counting on him at the big-league level seems premature. Adding to the intrigue, first base coach Dave Clark revealed that Smith has begun working in the outfield. This development, paired with the Astros’ reported interest in Nolan Arenado, suggests the team may view Smith as an outfielder long-term. Should Arenado have waived his no-trade clause, his contract would have blocked Smith at third base for at least three years, making a position switch logical for the young prospect.
Jake Meyers’ defense vs. offensives struggles
Jake Meyers’ bat remains a question mark, but his defense—particularly his range on balls to his glove side in the left-center gap—could be a crucial asset with Jose Altuve and Yordan Alvarez manning left field. Meyers has been named the starter in center field, so he's not going anywhere for the foreseeable future. It's no secret that center field is massive at Daikin Park, and the Astros have valued defense in that spot in recent years, going back to when Myles Straw roamed the outfield.
We have so much more to get to. Don't miss the video below as we cover the topics above and much, much more!
The countdown to Opening Day is on. Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday. Click here to catch!
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The Astros and the Yankees in the Bronx this weekend. Fun! And important. Both teams have been in results ruts for a while. The Astros have gone 9-16 over their last 25 games while the Yankees’ funk is longer extending, producing a 19-29 mess over their last 48 games. Despite the Seattle Mariners closing in, the Astros still lead the American League West. The Yankees’ hopes of again winning the AL East are fading toward the point of no return. They have tumbled six and a half games behind the Toronto Blue Jays and also lag three games behind the rampaging Boston Red Sox. Hence, the Yankees are under clearly more pressure than are the Astros this weekend. The pitching matchups in the first two games strongly favor the Astros. Friday night it’s Hunter Brown opposite rookie Cam Schlittler who makes his fifth big league appearance. Saturday afternoon it’s Framber Valdez versus Luis Gil, who was the 2024 American League Rookie of the Year, but missed the first four months of this season with a lat injury. Gil made his 2025 debut Sunday, and was terrible. The Astros’ quality rotation depth beyond Brown and Valdez is non-existent at this point. Their Sunday starter will be a lesser starter than the Yankees’ Max Fried. Of course, in one game you never know.
The Astros have thoroughly owned the Yankees in their most meaningful meetings over the last decade. In 2015 the ousted the Yankees in a one-game Wild Card matchup. Then came the real soul-crushers with the Astros vanquishing the Yanks in the 2017, 2019, and 2022 American League Championship Series, with it getting easier for the Astros as time went on. The 2017 series went the maximum seven games, 2019 took six, 2022 was a four-game Astros’ sweep. The regular season has been a different matter. The Yankees have beaten the Astros in 11 of 14 games over the last two years. Last season the Yankees walloped the Astros six wins to one. They only play six times this regular season: the three in New York this weekend then three at Daikin Park in early September.
Here comes the Judge
While the Astros (and their fans) endure a seemingly never-ending wait for Yordan Alvarez’s return to the lineup, the Yankees have Aaron Judge back after a 10-day stint on the injured list. Judge carries the burden of soft career postseason stats (though he has 16 home runs in just 58 postseason games and his career playoffs OPS is just 21 points lower than Alex Bregman’s), but this is a legendary player. Judge’s career OPS stands at a whopping 1.024. That number will drop during the decline years remaining in his career, but here’s the list of all time Major Leaguers higher than 1.024: Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, Lou Gehrig, Barry Bonds, and Jimmie Foxx. Those are arguably the four greatest offensive players in MLB history, plus Foxx who probably rates in the top 20. If he holds up the rest of the season, Judge is a cinch for his third AL Most Valuable Player Award in four years.
Turn back the clock
Should they choose to check it out, the Astros can watch the Yankees’ Old-Timers' Game Saturday. Though most of the greatest of Yankee legends have died, there will still be a fabulous cast of alumni who soak up cheers during introductions, with many of them then taking part in a two or three inning game. The Yankees are by far the most storied franchise in MLB. The Astros have plenty of history and beloved players over multiple generations to copy the concept, and have their own Old-Timers' Day at Daikin Park. Would it not be a blast to see Roger Clemens pitch to Craig Biggio? Roy Oswalt to Lance Berkman? As I said during our Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast this week, I wouldn’t bet against 78 (as of Friday)-year-old Jose Cruz squaring up a ball for a line drive. Make Astros’ Old Timers’ Day happen in 2026 Jim Crane!
Angry birds
The best team in the American League is Toronto, best for now anyway. The Blue Jays have been the best over the last two months-plus. The Jays woke up May 29 at 27-28. Since then they are 41-20. Over that time frame the Astros have the third-best record in the AL behind the Jays and Red Sox. A notable part of Toronto’s success the past month is Joey Loperfido. He didn’t make the Jays’ big league squad coming out of spring training, and wasn’t called up until July 6. Over 72 at bats since getting back to “The Show” Loperfido is batting .389 with a .978 OPS. Reminder that Loperfido hit .372 over his first 43 at bats with the Astros. Full credit to Joey for a magnificent month. Still, there is no reason for the Astros to be wracked with regret for having included Loperfido in last season’s trade for Yusei Kikuchi.
For Astro-centric conversation, join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and me for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday. Click here to catch!
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*Looking to get the word out about your business, products, or services? Consider advertising on SportsMap! It's a great way to get in front of Houston sports fans. Click the link below for more information!
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