Cam Smith’s Power Is Showing Up Early
It's very, very early, but Smith is looking the part of the team's top prospect so are in Spring Training.
Here is our second Orange Fire post from Jules Hughan. Follow Jules on Blue Sky at @juleshughan.bsky.social
Nothing says optimism like another year of Spring Training. It is the time of year when prospects flash, veterans tweak, and conditions make everything a little weird.
Some performances come out of nowhere, some reinforce what we already know. Cam Smith’s second Spring Training game fits somewhere in between.
The Florida State alum just turned 22 over the weekend and wasted no time making noise. Now a top Astros prospect after being acquired in the Kyle Tucker trade, Smith went yard twice in his second game of camp, making a strong early impression (see for yourself in this clip).
What Does This Actually Mean?
Smith showing off his power this early is always a good sign, but Spring Training numbers require some filtering. His first homer was a no-doubt extra-base hit, probably a double or maybe even a triple in most big-league parks. The second? Likely gets tracked down in most stadiums if the wind is not involved.
That is just how Spring Training goes. Certain parks, thinner air, and gusty conditions can inflate power numbers. This could be an eight extra-base swing in this park versus two, three, or four in an MLB stadium, depending on right center field dimensions and climate conditions.
That said, it takes legitimate pop to drive a ball the other way with ease, and Smith already looks comfortable doing just that. Both of his homers were oppo, which is a great indicator of his raw strength and ability to let the ball travel. Now, the key adjustment is learning to turn on pitches and get to his pull-side power more consistently. Opposite-field homers are a great sign, but the best hitters can do damage to all fields. He will have plenty of opportunities to show that as the competition gets tougher.
The Power Is Carrying Over
After launching seven home runs in his first 27 pro games, the power barrage has continued in Spring Training, and Astros manager Joe Espada has taken notice.
"It does not look like his first spring training camp, and he is walking into an organization that has had a lot of success, and he feels like he can be part of this, and he can be part of our success, and he is excited to be here."
Spring Training is about more than stats. The way a player carries himself, how he approaches each at-bat, and how he adjusts to different looks on the mound tell a much bigger story than the box score.
Astros GM Dana Brown has already shown he is willing to move young talent quickly, and Smith could be on a similar track. A cup of coffee in Corpus Christi seems inevitable, but if he keeps hitting, he might not be there long. A strong showing could push him straight to Triple-A Sugar Land, putting him just one step away from Houston. The Astros are going to challenge him with tougher arms as camp progresses, testing how he handles sequencing, velocity, and advanced pitch shapes. That is when we will get a clearer idea of just how close he really is.
Spring Training is about takeaways, not conclusions. But so far, Smith looks like a guy making the most of his opportunity.
...We will keep you updated as Spring Training rolls on