The Houston Astros’ decision to trade right fielder Kyle Tucker to the Chicago Cubs was met with disappointment and heartbreak from fans. Many supporters were less concerned with the return package Houston received and more focused on the absence of Tucker, a cornerstone player they had grown to love.
However, as Spring Training has progressed, fans have begun to shift their attention to a promising young player: Cam Smith, the Astros’ top prospect. Smith has been making waves with his exceptional performance, quickly turning heads and making a case for a spot on the Opening Day roster. In the eight Spring Training games he has played so far, the 22-year-old has posted an impressive.529 batting average with an OPS exceeding 1.600. Though he has primarily played third base, Smith is demonstrating his versatility in an effort to secure a role with the team.
Yet, the question remains: Is third base the position where he is most needed this season? The Astros’ offseason acquisitions seem to have solidified the left side of the infield, with Jeremy Peña expected to remain at shortstop and newcomer Isaac Paredes likely taking over at third base. At least, that is the assumption among fans and analysts.
Manager Joe Espada has been experimenting with different lineup combinations throughout spring training, making it difficult to predict exactly how the defensive alignment will shake out. However, one area of need remains clear: right field. The very trade that sent Tucker to the Cubs created a vacancy in the outfield, and Smith could be an intriguing candidate to fill it.
Despite having minimal experience in the outfield—with only three career games played there, all during Summer Ball—Smith has been actively working to develop his defensive versatility. In a recent spring training game, he was scheduled to play five innings in right field, a significant step in his adaptation process. To aid in his transition, Smith has been seeking advice from former Astros outfielder Michael Brantley, who has been mentoring him over the past few days.
This is a significant challenge for Smith, particularly given his limited professional experience. Having played just 32 games at the minor league level, he is being asked to make a considerable leap. However, he has already demonstrated an ability to rise quickly through the ranks, having advanced to Double-A before the conclusion of his first season after being selected in the first round of the 2024 MLB Draft.
If Smith is to earn a spot on the Opening Day roster, he will need to continue proving himself at the plate. Currently, the Astros have several options to fill the right field position, including Mauricio Dubón, Ben Gamel, and Chas McCormick, with Jake Meyers projected to remain in center field. Of the current options, Dubón appears to be the leading candidate for right field if the team does not opt for an unconventional approach, such as moving Jose Altuve to the outfield. This leaves Smith in direct competition with Gamel and McCormick.
Fortunately for Smith, his competition does not appear insurmountable. McCormick, who played 94 games in 2024 (93 of them in the outfield), is coming off a disappointing season at the plate. He finished the year with a.211 batting average, managing only six doubles and five home runs. While McCormick showed flashes of promise in 2023, when he posted a.273 batting average and hit over 20 home runs, his struggles in 2024 and slow start in spring training do not bode well for his chances. Additionally, McCormick and the Astros avoided arbitration this offseason, meaning he is currently on a one-year deal, making his long-term future with the club uncertain.
Gamel’s situation is a bit different. After being released by the New York Mets during the 2024 season, the Astros claimed him off waivers, and he played in just 20 games before electing free agency. The team re-signed him to a one-year deal following the Tucker trade, primarily as a stopgap to help stabilize the outfield. Despite limited action last season, Gamel made a decent impression, hitting .259 with four extra-base hits in his brief stint with Houston. However, at nearly 33 years old, his last full season came in 2022, during which he played 115 games. His age and recent track record may make him a less appealing long-term option for the Astros.
For Smith, the key to making the roster will be to maintain his high level of performance at the plate. His offensive production is what sets him apart, and if he continues to perform at an elite level, the Astros may find it difficult to keep him off the roster. If the team decides to shift Altuve to an outfield role, it could create an ideal opening for Smith to claim the right field job alongside Altuve in left and Meyers in center.
The prospect of Smith making the leap from Double-A straight to the Major Leagues is daunting, but it is something he has been mentally and physically preparing for throughout spring training. Should he make the Opening Day roster, he would enter the season on his rookie contract, providing the Astros with six years of team control. This could allow Houston to begin rebuilding their outfield for the long term, addressing the void left by Tucker’s departure.
While Smith’s transition to the outfield remains a work in progress, his raw talent and ability to adapt could make him an invaluable asset for the Astros. If he continues to showcase his skills, Houston fans may soon find themselves embracing a new young star, helping them move past the disappointment of losing Kyle Tucker.
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