Brown Making Case to Remain in Houston Astros Rotation

Houston Astros rookie starting pitcher Hunter Brown is making his case to remain in the rotation long-term.

During MLB Spring Training, the idea that rookie Hunter Brown would start the season in the Houston Astros starting rotation was a long shot. He was supposed to start in the bullpen as a long relief option and make a spot start when needed. 

Then Lance McCullers Jr. went down with a forearm strain and Brown made the rotation as a fifth starter. 

Over the course of his first four starts, Brown has looked anything but a fifth starter. 

In two of his starts in 2023, Brown has thrown 7.0 innings and not allowed a single earned run. Both of those performances came against contenders in the Minnesota Twins and the Texas Rangers. 

His other two starts he has combined for 9.1 innings pitched and a combined eight earned runs. 

So flashes and glimpses of greatness coupled with looking a little bit human. But it's those huge performances against very good teams that make Brown so enticing.

It's also the reason he has earned the right to stay in the rotation even when McCullers Jr. returns. 

Brown's K/9 rate of 9.3 and BB/9 of 3.1 is tantalizing. He has a great fastball and an excellent curve that, when he commands it, can be one of the best put-away pitches in the game. 

The righty even draws comparisons to Justin Verlander, who the Astros just lost in free agency to the New York Mets. 

When taking a look at Houston's rotation as a whole, Brown has outperformed Jose Urquidy and Luis Garcia early. Urquidy is a stabilizing force in the rotation and acts as a solid anchor and third starter. 

Garcia on the other hand has struggled mightily, but has started to round into form. Still, Brown's pedigree and early impressions lend to him remaining in the rotation when the time comes to make a decision on who gets sent to the bullpen. 

All indications show that Brown has earned the opportunity to remain in his current role. 

More From SI's Inside The Astros:

1. Could Mike Trout Request a Trade to the Houston Astros?
2. Mariners Fans Inexplicably Outraged Following Houston Astros' Social Media Post About Sweep
3. Report: Former Astros Pitcher Fiers' Contract Terminated By CPBL Club
4. Six Houston Astros Declared Free Agents
5. Watch: Yordan Álvarez's Home Run Wins Astros World Series
6. Lucas Giolito Claims All Teams Were Cheating in 2017
7. Dusty Baker Makes His Thoughts Known on Bonds and Judge Records
8. Is it Time to Move on From the Houston Astros Cheating Scandal?
9. Is There Any Hope for an Aging Yuli Gurriel?
10. Astros' Álvarez Stopped Striking Out and Became the Best Hitter in Baseball

---

Make sure to follow Inside the Astros on Twitter @InsideAstrosSI!