Houston, we have a rising star! Hunter Brown, the 27-year-old Astros pitcher, has just secured third place in the prestigious AL Cy Young Award voting. But this isn't just about the past; it's a sign of the incredible future ahead.
In a league filled with talented pitchers, Brown's performance this season was nothing short of remarkable. He finished behind Tarik Skubal of the Tigers, who claimed the Cy Young Award for the second year in a row, and Garrett Crochet of the Red Sox, who came in second. But Brown's stats speak for themselves: 24 third-place votes, three fourth-place votes, and two fifth-place votes, totaling 80 points in the voting process.
And here's where it gets impressive: Brown dominated as Houston's ace this season, boasting a 12-9 record with a stellar 2.43 ERA and a career-best 1.03 WHIP in 31 starts. He showcased his prowess by striking out 206 batters in 185 1/3 innings while allowing just 133 hits. But here's where it gets controversial—is this enough to be considered one of the league's top pitchers?
The answer is a resounding yes when you consider his league rankings. Brown led the AL starters in opponents' slugging percentage (.318), ranked second in ERA and opponents' OPS (.589), and tied for second in quality starts (21). He also placed third in strikeouts, fourth in WHIP and strikeouts per nine innings (10), and fifth in opponents' batting average (.201).
Brown's 2025 season was historic for the Astros. He owned the longest scoreless innings streak in the Majors that year, pitching an incredible 28 scoreless innings from April 3-28. This feat earned him a place in the Astros' history books as the fifth-longest single-season streak by a starter.
June was Brown's month, as he was named the AL Pitcher of the Month after a stellar performance with a 1.19 ERA and a 0.82 WHIP in 30 1/3 innings. He also started the season with seven consecutive quality starts, a feat not achieved since Shane Bieber's eight in a row with the Guardians in 2021.
Brown's journey to the top began in 2019 when the Astros drafted him in the fifth round out of Wayne State. He made his Major League debut in 2022 and has been a key part of Houston's rotation for the past three seasons, making 93 appearances and starting 90 games from 2023-2025. His overall record during this period was 34-31 with a 3.59 ERA.
The 2024 season marked Brown's transformation into an ace. After a rocky start, he added a sinker to his arsenal, turning his season around. From there, he went 11-5 with a 2.51 ERA in 147 innings, playing a pivotal role in the Astros' comeback to win the American League West.
What do you think? Is Hunter Brown on track to become one of the all-time greats? Or is it too early to make such a bold prediction? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
