The Houston Astros enter the 2025 season as one of baseball’s most intriguing storylines.
After trading All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker to the Chicago Cubs for All-Star infielder Isaac Paredes and prospects Cam Smith and Hayden Wesneski — and shipping reliever Ryan Pressly to the Cubs in a separate deal — Houston’s roster has undergone significant transformation. The club also let franchise cornerstone Alex Bregman walk while adding Gold Glove first baseman Christian Walker to reshape their infield.
Perhaps most noteworthy, they’re shifting Jose Altuve to left field — a position he has never played in a regular-season game throughout his decorated career.
Despite these sweeping changes, Houston’s track record inspires confidence. The Astros have captured the American League West crown in seven of the last eight seasons, and even with their roster overhaul, they remain strong contenders in what appears to be a vulnerable division.
And one particular trade acquisition might become the X-factor in Houston’s pursuit of another division title.
Astros teammates have high praise for prospect Cam Smith
Since arriving from Chicago as part of the Tucker trade, Smith has been nothing short of impressive. The Cubs’ 14th-overall selection in the 2024 MLB Draft has rocketed up prospect rankings to become MLB.com’s 59th-ranked prospect while delivering a scorching spring performance: 13 hits in 37 plate appearances, including four home runs and one triple, while slashing an eye-popping .406/.487/.844.
“He’s the best player in this spring training camp that we got right now, numbers-wise. He’s the best performer,” utilityman Mauricio Dubón told The Athletic’s Chandler Rome. “Still, 6 a.m., 6:30 a.m., he’s in the cages working. He’s grounded and working every day. It’s only been five weeks, but what I’ve seen in five weeks, everyone likes him.”
Smith’s rapid ascent mirrors his 2024 minor league trajectory, where he blazed through three different levels while reaching Double-A. In 32 games across those levels, he slashed .313/.396/.609 in 134 plate appearances. His exceptional spring performance has legitimately positioned the 22-year-old for consideration on Houston’s Opening Day roster.
Dubón’s assessment of Smith’s potential borders on mythical.
“You can quote me on this: When he figures it out, when he has an idea of what they’re going to do to him in the big leagues, I think he’s going to be the next 60-homer guy,” said Dubón. “He’ll put in the work and he’s got that much pop.”
Shortstop Jeremy Peña adds that Smith’s physical presence matches his outsized potential, describing him as built like a “Transformer.”
“He does look like a big leaguer to me,” Peña told The Athletic. “He’s a guy that, if he stays healthy and keeps doing what he’s doing, he’ll play in the big leagues for a really, really long time.”
If Smith earns his spot on the major league roster, he would likely become Houston’s starting right fielder — a position he only began learning this spring training.
