Houston Astros First-Round Pick Viewed as Top Trade Candidate

The Houston Astros first-round pick in 2023 and the No. 4 prospect in the system has been deemed a trade candidate.

Nebraska's Brice Matthews fields a ball during a NCAA Big Ten Conference baseball game against Iowa, / Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen /

The start of the 2024 season for the Houston Astros has been a disaster. Sitting at 6-13 the Astros are very lucky to only be 3.5 games behind the first-place Texas Rangers in the American League West.

If it wasn't for the slow start for the rest of the division, it'd be time to press the panic button.

Even with this start, it's uncertain what the front office will ultimately decide to do. Never count out Houston, but this doesn't look to be the team everyone knows. Frankly, nothing has gone right to begin the year.

Throwing in the towel at the deadline would be a surprise and until that day comes, it's safe to assume they'll make moves to better the roster.

David Schoenfield of ESPN listed his top trade pieces for each team, writing that the Astros' 2023 first-round pick, Brice Matthews, is the top trade candidate.

Matthews, who had an impressive college career at Nebraska, will have a tough time finding a spot to play with Jeremy Pena and Jose Altuve locked into the middle infield.

The 22-year-old has had his struggles during his first 43 professional games, slashing .217/.375/.349. While the numbers can be better, it's unfair to judge Matthews less than 50 games into his career.

For Houston, moving Matthews, or any other player at the deadline, will likely be in a move for a pitcher. Dealing with injuries and the pitching staff underperforming, it's an area of need as the deadline approaches.

Despite the rough start, this team has proven time and time again to not count them out.