Hunter Brown Emerges as Houston’s Ace with Cy Young Potential
The Houston Astros have found a gem in 27-year-old Hunter Brown, who continues to elevate his game each season. Following his best performance yet, Brown has firmly established himself as a key player in the Astros’ pitching rotation. Since making his debut in September 2022, he has been a consistent presence on the mound, having been drafted by the Astros in 2019.
A Cy Young Contender
This year, Brown’s impressive stats have earned him a spot as a finalist for the Cy Young Award, a testament to his growth and skill. His numbers speak volumes:
2.43 ERA (second among AL pitchers)
133 total hits (third among pitchers with 31 starts)
206 strikeouts (third overall)
.201 opponent’s batting average (fifth)
1.03 WHIP (tied for fourth)
While these statistics are formidable, claiming the Cy Young this year could prove challenging against Tarik Skubal, who boasts an even more impressive 2.21 ERA, 241 strikeouts, and a 0.89 WHIP. However, regardless of this year’s outcome, the trajectory suggests that it’s only a matter of time before Brown’s name is etched in the spotlight.
Tracking the Development of Two Rising Stars
To understand the potential of Brown, it’s insightful to compare his development to that of Skubal. Both pitchers had modest beginnings, with neither starting more than seven games in their rookie seasons. Skubal’s first full year saw him make 29 starts, but he struggled with a 4.34 ERA and surrendered a staggering 35 home runs. Over the last two seasons combined, he has allowed just 33 homers. In that inaugural year, he struck out 164 batters, yet also posted a career-high opponent’s batting average of .245 and a WHIP of 1.23.
In contrast, Brown made the same number of starts in his first full season but faced challenges as well, recording just over 5.00 ERA while racking up 178 strikeouts and allowing 26 home runs. However, Skubal had the edge in opponent batting average and WHIP.
Fast forward to their second seasons, where both pitchers showed marked improvement across the board—ERA, WHIP, batting average against, and home runs allowed. Skubal’s ERA has not exceeded 3.00 since, and he has tallied back-to-back seasons with over 200 strikeouts. Brown, for his part, has dramatically reduced his ERA from 5.09 to 3.49, and now to 2.43, showcasing his resilience and improving performance under pressure.
Looking Ahead
Brown’s ability to adapt is evident, as he has been entrusted with a heavier workload. Management has allowed him to pitch deeper into games, evidenced by his sharp decline in opponent batting average from .262 to an impressive .201 and a WHIP that has dropped from 1.36 to 1.03.
The future for Hunter Brown appears bright. If he continues on this upward trajectory, a Cy Young Award seems not just possible but inevitable. With team control extending until 2029, the Astros organization has every reason to be optimistic about their ace’s potential and what he will bring to the mound in the years to come.
Hunter Brown’s recent performance, including a season-high 12 strikeouts over 7 innings, is just a glimpse of what he can achieve. The Astros may very well be witnessing the rise of a future star in Major League Baseball.
