Houston Astros Youth Carrying Heavy Load
People may harp on some of the decisions Houston Astros skipper Dusty Baker makes, but he looks like a genius when it comes to finalizing a Major League Baseball roster.
Two of Houston's youngest players, including pitcher Hunter Brown and outfielder Corey Julks, are making Baker look more like a mastermind each time they step onto the field.
Let's not forget second baseman Mauricio Dubon and outfielder Jake Meyers either.
Brown, who made his Major League debut on Sept. 5, 2022, is 3-0 this season with a 2.37 ERA (30.1 innings pitched) with 32 strikeouts and a 1.05 WHIP.
Over his entire MLB career (12 games), Brown is 5-0 with a 1.78 ERA (50.2 innings pitched) with 54 strikeouts and a 1.07 WHIP.
Julks, meanwhile, made his MLB debut on Opening Day this year and is slashing .299/.304/.448 through 67 at-bats with eight RBI, two home runs and one stolen base.
Dubon, who made his MLB debut in 2019 with the Milwaukee Brewers, is slashing .330/.355/.420 this year with the Astros (88 at-bats) with four RBI and two stolen bases.
Dubon's career slash line (769 at-bats) is .254/.295/.372 with 78 RBI, 18 home runs and 11 stolen bases.
Meyers made his MLB debut on Aug. 1, 2021, and is slashing .281/.349/.386 in 2023 through 57 at-bats with seven RBI and one home run.
Meyers' career slash line (353 at-bats) is .249/.305/.377 with 50 RBI, eight home runs and five stolen bases.
The Astros are currently tied with the Texas Rangers for first place in the AL West with a 14-11 record and host the Phillies (13-13) in a three-game series starting Friday night, April 28, at Minute Maid Park.
First pitch is slated for 7:10 p.m. CT as Framber Valdez (2-2, 2.25 ERA) takes the hill for Houston and faces Philadelphia starter Aaron Nola (1-2, 5.40 ERA).
More From SI's Inside The Astros:
- Could Mike Trout Request a Trade to the Houston Astros?
- Mariners Fans Inexplicably Outraged Following Houston Astros' Social Media Post About Sweep
- Report: Former Astros Pitcher Fiers' Contract Terminated By CPBL Club
- Six Houston Astros Declared Free Agents
- Watch: Yordan Álvarez's Home Run Wins Astros World Series
- Lucas Giolito Claims All Teams Were Cheating in 2017
- Dusty Baker Makes His Thoughts Known on Bonds and Judge Records
- Is it Time to Move on From the Houston Astros Cheating Scandal?
- Is There Any Hope for an Aging Yuli Gurriel?
- Astros' Álvarez Stopped Striking Out and Became the Best Hitter in Baseball
Make sure to follow Inside the Astros on Twitter @InsideAstrosSI!
