Had a note from Chip Bailey about a potential post discussing critical under-the-radar players for the Astros in 2026.
I decided that was a great idea – and here it goes….
Under the Radar
Here are players that I don’t believe are valued in such a way that a lot is expected from them in 2026, but…..if they do contribute big time it sure would help the club.
Cam Smith. After a season that went from hopeful to helpless, Cam was basically told he would have to earn a spot on this roster. Earn a spot with the worst-looking OF lineup in the majors. But the kid has talent, and if he can harness that talent and grab an OF spot by the neck, that would do a lot for the team.
Jake Meyers. Yes, he had a good, partial season as far as BA and OBP goes in 2025, but frankly he may be the leader on everyone’s offensive regression board for this team. But let’s just say he shows more power, like he did earlier in his career and tie it in with that top notch glove and that BA and OBP he showed in 2025. He could be a much bigger piece of under-the-radar gusto.
Ryan Weiss. With the higher level additions of Tatsuya Imai from Japan and Mike Burrows from the Pirates, plus the return of Cy Young candidate Hunter Brown and bigger names Cristian Javier and Lance McCullers Jr. , Weiss is flying under the radar. But perhaps his success in Korea along with some of that Astros pitching coach magic will have Weiss become the Ronel Blanco or Jason Alexander of 2026.
Lance McCullers Jr. I know this is Lucy trying to get Charlie Brown to trust her one more time holding that football, but this would be the ultimate under the radar assistance to this club ever. Not only is no one expecting much from LMJ, frankly some don’t think he will make the team out of Spring Training and most don’t think he will make it out of May before he is released. But what if the guy who was 49-32 with a 3.48 ERA in his career heading into 2025, has a little bit of juice left in the tank? Crazier things have happened. (I’m not talking about 35 starts / 190 innings – I’m not that crazy).
AJ Blubaugh. He is a prime candidate for an under the radar decent season, because he is coming into Spring Training with no assigned spot. Will he be one of the starting six? Well probably not if most stay healthy. Will he be one of the 7th thru 9th inning high leverage guys? Probably not out of ST, but maybe later. But what he showed in 2025 is that he could come in and give multiple innings of very good relief and this team may badly need that with question marks in the starting rotation and a bullpen that will be short a member while they start six.
Nate Pearson.Yes, I know that Pearson was 0-1 with a 9.20 ERA in only 14 innings last year. He was good in 2024, but was very mediocre from 2020 – 2023. There is no reason to expect much from him….except…..
- Jason Alexander – 0-0 with a 18.00 ERA with the A’s – comes here and is 4-2 with a 3.66 ERA
- Steven Okert – 5.09 ERA with Minnesota in 2024 – 3.01 ERA with Astros in 2025.
- Bennett Sousa – 8.41 ERA with White Sox and 13.50 ERA with Brewers and puts up 5-1 and 2.53 ERA since coming to the Astros.
And maybe Pearson will be the latest to come here and find magic in that arm.
So that is Dan P’s list of potential under-the-radar folks for the 2026 Astros. Who do you have on your scorecard?
ALL THINGS ASTROS 
5 responses to “Astros’ Spring Training: Under the radar”
Good morning! My under the radar guy is Zach Dezenzo. It might take months for Zach to get a chance, maybe via an injury but probably more likely due to an outfield that is simply not generating enough offense.
Anyway, that’s my short take.
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It is a good take daveb. There is no doubt the big opportunity is in the outfield for someone to step up from under the radar.Like you said the key thing with Dezenzo is getting the opportunity.
Will be fun to watch.
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Dan, I’m going with one on your list and another who isn’t.
Cam Smith is the guy for me. For some reason, the Astros seem to have abandoned him. Is he their guy? Or not? Do they have a plan for him? Or not? Even if it’s starting at AAA to restore confidence or work on his game, then bringing him up in May or June, I’m good with that. But…he could be the big game-changer for an OF searching for identity.
The other guy? Paredes. It’s looking more and more like the guy will be on the opening day roster (Now that I’ve said that, you’ll probably get a trade alert in the next 30 minutes). He, too, can be a game-changer and I’m eager to see how Espada will use him.
He can’t ride the bench, that’s not acceptable! But I wonder if he shouldn’t be getting some looks in LF?
Both of these guys could jump on the radar for Houston and be the kick in the pants for the Astros in ’26.
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May Parades could play first base and Walker LF a bit?
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I’d like to add my friend Jose Urquidy to those forgotten under the radar souls. He threw strikes in the Mexican Winter league and topped out in the low to mid 90’s. I think we’ve picked up some other low cost longer shots. I wonder if Jose did want to come back to Houston for any reason.
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