How Astros Rookie of the Year debate just got a lot more intriguing

MIDSEASON ROY

The Houston Astros have dealt with their fair share of injuries so far this season, and while it's made things much more difficult in some aspects, it's also given young players an opportunity to prove themselves.

So which Astros rookie should take home the midseason ROY hardware? On the offensive side of the ball, Yainer Diaz appears to be the front-runner over Corey Julks.

The injury to Yordan Alvarez has given Diaz the chance to play regularly, and he's come through and added some pop in the lineup. He currently has 8 home runs (7 in his last 30 games) and is sporting an .754 OPS.

If only Dusty would start him more often at catcher over Martin Maldonado, whose defensive skills have diminished this season and is hitting an underwhelming .171 with a .536 OPS.

Raising the bar

The other top two candidates are starting pitchers Hunter Brown and JP France. You can't really go wrong with either pitcher. France's numbers (3.13 ERA) are a little better than Brown's (3.76 ERA), but he has only started 10 games to Brown's 16.

So who do you believe has earned Astros ROY at the midpoint of the season?

Be sure to check out the video as we share our thoughts on the team's best rookie.

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Cam Smith is the Astros' new right fielder!Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images.

Opening Day is just days away for the Astros, and the biggest storyline leading up to the season has been Cam Smith. Smith put together an impressive spring, but many wondered if that would be enough to make the big league roster. Well, we don't have to wonder anymore.

Manager Joe Espada announced that Smith will start in right field against the Mets on Opening Day. And it gets even better, the Astros captured the moment Smith found out he made the club on video.

Be sure to watch the video below as Smith's mother breaks the exciting news to Houston's new slugger!


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