Houston Astros rookie outfielder Cam Smith blasted two home runs in the team’s 13-3 romp over the Athletics on Tuesday, building his case for American League Rookie of the Year consideration.
Smith led off the top of the second inning with a solo home run to centerfield on a 1-1 pitch, making Athletics starting pitcher JP Sears pay for leaving his 82 mph changeup over the heart of the plate.
The ball traveled 415 feet, Smith’s longest hit of his young career…for all of two innings.
Because to lead off the fourth, Smith drilled a 431-foot home run to right off a 77 mph slider, giving the Astros a 4-0 lead.
Smith had his first four-hit game, finishing the night 4-of-5 and a triple shy of the cycle with three runs batted in.
Smith, the 14th overall pick of the 2024 MLB Draft, has rewarded the Astros front office’s faith in him with his impressive start.
He only appeared in 37 minor league games last season with the Chicago Cubs farm system. The Astros acquired him in December 2024 when the Cubs traded for outfielder Kyle Tucker.
After a slow start, Smith has found his swing. Over his last 32 games, he has a .315/.361/.459 slash line as the Astros have surged to first in the AL West.
On June 14, he hit a walk-off single against the Minnesota Twins to extend Houston’s win-streak to four games.
Per ESPN Bet, Smith (+5000) is a long shot to earn AL ROY honors. Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson (-600) is the favorite, and unless he cools off from his current .360 batting average, he’ll be hard to catch.
But that shouldn’t overshadow what Smith’s accomplishing in Houston. While he gains confidence at the plate, he’s already impressed in the outfield despite entering the majors as a third baseman prospect.
Per Baseball Savant, he ranks in the 94th percentile in outs above average and has already added some impressive plays to his fielding reel.
Smith’s breakout rookie season continued with his best major league game on Tuesday. If the ascending talent keeps improving, his Rookie of the Year candidacy will be impossible to ignore.
