Houston Astros general manager Dana Brown referred to new top prospect Cam Smith as an “aircraft carrier” when discussing the 6-foot-3, 224-pound right-hander.
Smith’s power at the plate is already making Brown’s description look prescient early in Spring Training. Smith, who the Astros acquired in December’s blockbuster trade of Kyle Tucker, bashed not one, but two home runs in Tuesday’s contest against the New York Mets in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Smith went opposite way to right field with a line-drive home run in the bottom of the sixth, then smacked a towering shot to right-center field. The Florida State product and 2024 first-round pick smacked 16 extra-base hits (including seven home runs) in 32 minor-league games last season.
He’s enjoying a similarly smooth ascent this spring in his first games with a new club. Given his dearth of minor league experience to date, Smith is unlikely to play for the Astros in 2025. However, Houston’s brass will gushingly praise his expected baseball future.
Brown’s endorsement of Smith was echoed by Hall of Fame first baseman and current team advisor Jeff Bagwell, who noted that he believes Smith’s talent is “off the charts.” “Cam Smith is a big deal that we got out of that trade with Chicago,” Bagwell told MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart in February.
“He looks good in a uniform. He’s a big ‘ol kid, a great kid, wants to learn. I think [his] talent [is] off the charts.” “He’s got a chance to do some special things, I really believe that.”
Smith could be the Astros’ future at his current defensive home of third base, and Brown added Smith could experiment defensively at either first base or left field in 2025. Positional considerations will arrive at a later date, likely in 2026.
For now, Houston’s coaches and management will spend the spring and summer evaluating the growth of Smith’s already-impressive bat.
