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Cam Smith Showed Growth in His Second Season With the Astros
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- Cam Smith Showed Growth in His Second Season With the Astros
(Troy Taormina-Imagn Images)
Images 1-2: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
The Astros have a handful of young players who are major contributors, and one of them is Gold Glove finalist Cam Smith. Smith made his major league debut on Opening Day, March 27, 2025, against the New York Mets .
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In Smith's second major league season, he showed significant growth defensively but still had room to improve offensively. His batting numbers don't fully reflect what Smith has to offer, and if he can improve at the plate, he has the potential to become a solid all-around player. His defense earned him a spot among the Gold Glove finalists, but his offense remains a work in progress.
Here is a look at his 2026 season and career stats.
Regular Season Stats:
.210 AVG, 107 H, 21 HR, 56 RBI, 67 R, 12 SB, .279 OBP, .669 OPS
Career Stats:
.222 AVG, .294 OBP, .669 OPS
Looking more closely at his performance at the plate, his batting average needs some work and falls below the league average. The overall batting average in the league is .244, so improving that number will be important for the Astros lineup in 2027. He did, however, hit 21 home runs in the 2026 season, and some of those homers came at crucial moments. That power makes him a valuable contributor, even if his overall production needs improvement. The Astros need more consistency throughout their lineup, and Smith has an opportunity to help provide it.
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His power numbers also showed noticeable growth from his rookie season in 2025 to 2026. In 2025, he hit nine home runs compared to 21 in 2026. His batting average may have struggled, but the increase in home runs shows that he made progress as a power hitter.
As for defense, Smith's Gold Glove finalist recognition speaks for itself. His range and athleticism are huge assets that make him valuable in the outfield. In 2025, he had one Out Above Average (OAA), and in 2026, that number jumped to seven Outs Above Average. Smith also ranked in the 91st percentile for range in 2026. Those improvements show just how far he has come defensively in only two major league seasons.
So, in terms of what Smith needs to work on for 2027, the answer is obvious. Much like the rest of the lineup, he needs consistency at the plate. He also has more room for improvement than some of his teammates. If he can improve his batting average while maintaining his power, Smith could become an even bigger asset for the Astros. His defensive ability is his ticket into the lineup, but his performance at the plate needs improvement to secure his role.
