How Astros Rookie of the Year debate just got a lot more intriguing
MIDSEASON ROY
05 July 2023
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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Astros’ pitching holds firm in nail-biter versus Phillies
Jun 24, 2025, 9:59 pm
Cooper Hummel hit a solo home run in the eighth inning and Framber Valdez and two relievers combined for a four-hitter in the Houston Astros' 1-0 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday night.
There was one out in the eighth when Hummel connected off Ranger Suárez (6-2) on his opposite field shot to the bullpen in right-center field.
COOPER HUMMEL BREAKS THROUGH! #BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/Kpbikzhujn
— Houston Astros (@astros) June 25, 2025
Valdez (9-4) scattered four hits across seven scoreless innings.
Framber was dialed tonight.#VoteStros ⭐️ @budweiserusa pic.twitter.com/69utvHPZZ2
— Houston Astros (@astros) June 25, 2025
Bryan Abreu struck out one in the eighth and Josh Hader struck out two in the ninth for his 20th save.
The Phillies had a chance to get on the board in the sixth. J.T. Realmuto reached on a throwing error by third baseman Isaac Paredes with one out in the inning and stole second base. Valdez walked Otto Kemp but Edmundo Sosa grounded into a double play to end the inning.
The Astros were hitless until Yainer Diaz singled on a grounder to right field to start Houston’s sixth and Hummel followed with a single to right field. Mauricio Dubón grounded into a double play that left Diaz at third before Suárez walked Jeremy Peña. But Suárez struck out Paredes to escape the jam.
Suárez yielded four hits and a run with seven strikeouts in 7 2/3 innings.
Key moment
The home run by Hummel was his second since he was selected from Triple-A Sugar Land on June 14.
Julia Morales caught up with Hummel after the big win!
After the win, @JuliaMorales was seen Hangin' with Mr. Cooper. pic.twitter.com/XlezkpdUnn
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) June 25, 2025
Key stat
Suárez is the first Philadelphia starter to earn nine straight quality starts in his first 10 starts of the season since Aaron Harang did so in 2015, according to stats provided by the Phillies from the Elias Sport Bureau.
Up next
Philadelphia RHP Zack Wheeler (7-2, 2.81 ERA) opposes LHP Colton Gordon (2-1, 4.54) when the series continues Wednesday night.
