Inside the Astros

Houston Astros Should Be Expecting Big Things From Brown in 2023

Houston Astros pitcher Hunter Brown made a dazzling MLB debut during the 2022 MLB season. The team should be expecting even bigger things from him come 2023.
Kade Kistner|
Houston Astros Should Be Expecting Big Things From Brown in 2023
Houston Astros Should Be Expecting Big Things From Brown in 2023

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Houston Astros

The Houston Astros have a seemingly endless supply of players ready to take the spot of veteran departures. Jeremy Peña taking over Carlos Correa's spot is the most recent example. 

Now, it's Hunter Brown's turn following Justin Verlander's exit.

That's not saying that Brown is going to replace Verlander's production, maybe he one day develops into something resembling the player he is so oft-compared to, but he should have an impact on the Astros. The franchise is betting on it. 

After getting called up for his MLB debut in September of the 2022 MLB season, he pitched to a 0.89 ERA during 20.1 innings of work. He backed it up with a 1.082 WHIP and three scoreless appearances during the postseason.

Now, he should have a chance to make his mark on the pitching staff and will likely be given a shot to make the rotation this upcoming season. Between the Astros and Triple-A Sugar Land, Brown threw 126.1 innings last season. 

Asking the same of him, or perhaps even pushing something closer to 150.0 innings pitched, wouldn't be out of the realm of possibility. Combine his high-end fastball with his power curveball and it's a mix for lethality at the Major League level.

If he can build off of his small taste of MLB action last season and continue to improve his control, Brown should become one of the most exciting young pitchers in the league. A scary prospect for every opponent Houston may face.

More From SI's Inside The Astros:

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  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?
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  10. Astros' Álvarez Stopped Striking Out and Became the Best Hitter in Baseball

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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.

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