Inside the Astros

Hunter Brown Has Lackluster 2023 Debut, But Plenty of Excitement Remains

Houston Astros rookie starting pitcher Hunter Brown didn't have the best start to his 2023 MLB season debut, but there is still plenty to be excited about.
Kade Kistner|
Hunter Brown Has Lackluster 2023 Debut, But Plenty of Excitement Remains
Hunter Brown Has Lackluster 2023 Debut, But Plenty of Excitement Remains

In this story:

Houston Astros

It's a tough ask for a rookie starting pitcher to assume a role in a World Series-caliber rotation. It comes with responsibility most have never faced in their life, much less career. There is also a level of expectation that comes from the fans, team, and front office externally. 

But that is exactly what Hunter Brown has been asked to do for the Houston Astros. The departure of Justin Verlander to the New York Mets and Lance McCuller Jr.'s injured list stint to start the season has given Brown the opportunity to step into the role. 

If he succeeds, he is likely the leading candidate for the American League Rookie of the Year award. Again, plenty of pressure and expectation. 

On Monday night, Brown made his 2023 MLB season debut against the Detroit Tigers. On paper it was favorable and should have been a good way to ease into the season after finishing last season with a 0.89 ERA in 20.1 innings pitched in the regular season. 

Instead, he met a road bump and allowed four earned runs in 4.2 innings pitched. He did strike out five, but he also issued three walks. So it goes with Brown. 

Yet, despite the lackluster start, there is still plenty of room for optimism. No, he wasn't going to maintain a sub-1.00 ERA like he did last season. And no, he wasn't going to magically find his command and eliminate all of the walks. 

But he has the talent to be successful at this level. He has a fastball that reaches the upper-90's and his offspeed stuff is beyond tantalizing. 

He did have a slow start to the spring and he faced some back tightness. How much that affected, if at all, on Monday night remains to be seen. 

But one thing is certain: Brown needs more time to adjust to his new role and relatively new environs. 

He's special, he just needs time. 

More From SI's Inside The Astros:

  1. Could Mike Trout Request a Trade to the Houston Astros?
  2. Mariners Fans Inexplicably Outraged Following Houston Astros' Social Media Post About Sweep
  3. Report: Former Astros Pitcher Fiers' Contract Terminated By CPBL Club
  4. Six Houston Astros Declared Free Agents
  5. Watch: Yordan Álvarez's Home Run Wins Astros World Series
  6. Lucas Giolito Claims All Teams Were Cheating in 2017
  7. Dusty Baker Makes His Thoughts Known on Bonds and Judge Records
  8. Is it Time to Move on From the Houston Astros Cheating Scandal?
  9. Is There Any Hope for an Aging Yuli Gurriel?
  10. Astros' Álvarez Stopped Striking Out and Became the Best Hitter in Baseball

Make sure to follow Inside the Astros on Twitter @InsideAstrosSI!

Published
Kade Kistner
KADE KISTNER

Kade Kistner is the publisher and beat writer for Sports Illustrated's Inside the Phillies. An alumnus of Tulane University, Kade graduated in 2017 with a degree in Latin American Studies and a minor in Spanish. Upon graduation, Kade commissioned into the United States Navy and attended Naval Flight School in Pensacola, Fl. He served as a Naval Aviator and was stationed in Jacksonville, Fl. During his time in school and the Navy, Kade began covering the MLB and NFL with USA Today, SB Nation, and Sports Illustrated. Kade covered the New Orleans Saints, Texas Rangers, and numerous other teams within the Sports Illustrated network before launching Inside the Phillies, Inside the Astros, and Inside the Cubs. You can follow him on Twitter at @KadeKistner, or if you have any questions or comments he can be reached via email at kwkistner@gmail.com.

Home/News