{"id":124859,"date":"2026-06-30T21:39:12","date_gmt":"2026-07-01T01:39:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=124859"},"modified":"2026-06-30T21:39:12","modified_gmt":"2026-07-01T01:39:12","slug":"astros-view-cam-smith","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2026\/06\/30\/astros-view-cam-smith\/","title":{"rendered":"How the Astros Should View Cam Smith\u2019s Season So Far"},"content":{"rendered":"

While the Houston Astros have a lot of veteran talent on the team, the outfield is much younger in general. A key part of the Astros\u2019 future is Cam Smith<\/a>. \u00a0<\/span>The young 23-year-old right fielder burst onto the scene last season and immediately took over that spot in the starting lineup. Even with hardly any experience, Smith showed regular glimpses of brilliance as one of the faces of Houston\u2019s future.<\/p>\n

Smith was acquired as part of the Kyle Tucker<\/a> trade to the Chicago Cubs, and the Astros got third baseman Isaac Paredes<\/a> and right-hander Hayden Wesneski<\/a> as well. Smith was arguably the main piece of the trade as the Cubs\u2019 top prospect and a talented young player who could become a cornerstone for the Astros.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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The 2025 Cam Smith Experience<\/h2>\n

Even with no outfield experience as a natural third baseman, Smith was shifted over to right field during his first spring training with the Astros and shined. The Astros were so impressed that they put him in the 2025 Opening Day lineup in right field for his MLB debut.<\/p>\n

The 14th overall pick in the 2024 draft had some excellent at-bats at the start of his MLB career and showed incredible power. Once he cooled down following his hot start, Smith showed the normal struggles you\u2019d expect from a rookie. He went into a long slump during the latter half of the season and struggled with strikeouts, among other areas on offense. \u00a0<\/span>Smith played in 134 games last season and hit for a .236 AVG and .670 OPS along with nine home runs and 51 RBI. He struck out 137 times.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It was completely expected, knowing Smith was playing college baseball at Florida State in late 2024. His glove in right field continued to be great, so much so that Smith was remarkably named a finalist for the Gold Glove Award.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How Smith\u2019s 2026 Season Has Gone<\/h2>\n

The expectation for Smith this season was for him to improve with the bat and take another step forward. While his glove remains elite in right field, where he\u2019ll probably be a true Gold Glove candidate, his offense remains a work in progress to say the least.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There has been some clamoring from Astros fans for Smith to be sent down to Triple-A Sugar Land for a bit to work on his mechanics and get back on track. The struggles and low numbers across the board pushed that narrative, but it seems like the Astros are certain about Smith being on the big league team and figuring it out.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There were mighty struggles with the bat, but that looks to be slowly turning around. The season has been a work in progress, but improvement is still being made. He\u2019s shown up in some big moments. The Astros seem to want him to grow while at the MLB level and get more experience.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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The #Astros<\/a> Cam Smith is now ranked 50th in MLB in xSLG at .465<\/p>\n

He’s sitting at 79th in xwOBA at .342<\/p>\n

He turned 23 in late February. \ud83d\udcc8 https:\/\/t.co\/ByUitQrg0i<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/WUioKWH3dN<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Don Dougan (@don_dougan) June 30, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n