Houston Astros rookie outfielder Cam Smith blasted two dwelling runs within the staff’s 13-3 romp over the Athletics on Tuesday, constructing his case for American League Rookie of the Yr consideration.
Smith led off the highest of the second inning with a solo dwelling run to centerfield on a 1-1 pitch, making Athletics beginning pitcher JP Sears pay for leaving his 82 mph changeup over the guts of the plate.
The ball traveled 415 toes, Smith’s longest hit of his young career…for all of two innings.
As a result of to guide off the fourth, Smith drilled a 431-foot dwelling run to proper off a 77 mph slider, giving the Astros a 4-0 lead.
Smith had his first four-hit recreation, ending the night time 4-of-5 and a triple shy of the cycle with three runs batted in.
Smith, the 14th general decide of the 2024 MLB Draft, has rewarded the Astros entrance workplace’s religion in him together with his spectacular begin.
He solely appeared in 37 minor league video games final season with the Chicago Cubs farm system. The Astros acquired him in December 2024 when the Cubs traded for outfielder Kyle Tucker.
After a sluggish begin, Smith has discovered his swing. Over his final 32 video games, he has a .315/.361/.459 slash line because the Astros have surged to first within the AL West.
On June 14, he hit a walk-off single in opposition to the Minnesota Twins to increase Houston’s win-streak to 4 video games.
Per ESPN Bet, Smith (+5000) is a protracted shot to earn AL ROY honors. Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson (-600) is the favourite, and except he cools off from his present .360 batting common, he’ll be onerous to catch.
However that should not overshadow what Smith’s engaging in in Houston. Whereas he positive aspects confidence on the plate, he is already impressed within the outfield regardless of getting into the majors as a 3rd baseman prospect.
Per Baseball Savant, he ranks within the 94th percentile in outs above common and has already added some spectacular performs to his fielding reel.
Smith’s breakout rookie season continued together with his finest main league recreation on Tuesday. If the ascending expertise retains enhancing, his Rookie of the Yr candidacy can be inconceivable to disregard.
