Sunday, February 23

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Last year, Cam Smith’s baseball journey took him from Florida State University to Myrtle Beach of the Carolina League, South Bend of the Midwest League and Tennessee of the Southern League in a span of a few months. He’s hoping to put down some roots in Texas in 2025.

Smith, the No. 59-ranked prospect by MLB Pipeline, has turned heads early in Astros camp with his 6-foot-3, 224-pound athletic build and enough energy to make the Energizer Bunny ruffle his tail. Astros general manager Dana Brown called him an “aircraft carrier,” a nod to his size and ability to do damage at the plate.

Brown likes to push elite prospects quickly through the system, and Smith, who turned 22 on Saturday, says he’s up to the challenge.

“I don’t like to look too far ahead,” he said. “I just like doing what I can every day and taking it day by day, stacking the days and trusting my ability and wherever they send me, it’s the right place. I do have a strong feeling that I’m going to make it this year. I’m very excited.”

Smith was the No. 14 overall pick in last year’s MLB Draft by the Cubs, who dealt him and two other players to Houston in December for outfielder Kyle Tucker. Smith performed well in his professional debut, slashing .313/.396/.609 in 32 games combined between Single-A Myrtle Beach, High-A South Bend and Double-A Tennessee. He’s a third baseman who will play some outfield this spring.

The trade took Smith by surprise, but it meant he would get to spend Spring Training living at home with his parents. He went to Palm Beach Central High School in Wellington, Fla., which is about 20 miles from the Astros’ training facility.

“First of all, I’m home,” he said. “I get to be with my family and live here for Spring Training. It’s probably a perfect trade for me, honestly. Very excited about it.”

Smith trained on the back fields at Park of the Palm Beaches for three weeks prior to the position player report date. He’s one of a wave of new faces in the Houston clubhouse and one who should get plenty of playing time early in the spring.

“Obviously, I’m the new guy so I have to prove myself a little bit more,” he said. “You continue to work. Nothing really changes. You’re in a different organization and you hear what the coaches and the staff has to say about what you can do. They told me I will play outfield, maybe third base. We’ll see. I’m taking reps in the outfield and continuing to play third base.”

Smith hopes his energy sets him apart. He idolized former Dodgers slugger Yasiel Puig as a kid and loved the passion he brought to the game.

“I wouldn’t point out tools or anything because everybody’s got that, but when a big moment comes up, I like to let my energy out and let out that roar,” he said. “I’m an advocate of that, showing those emotions. I would say that’s the difference in my game.”

It’s probably realistic to expect Smith to begin the season at Double-A Corpus Christi, which puts him on the big league club’s radar. A promotion to Triple-A Sugar Land would put him only a few miles from Daikin Park -- the final stop of his baseball travels.

For now, he’s going to enjoy sleeping in his own bed, and the Astros surprised their young star on Saturday morning by bringing in his high school coach, Scott Benedict, to celebrate Smith’s birthday.

“It’s perfect,” he said. “I get home-cooked meals and go home every day. I can’t stress that enough. I’m so lucky.”

Space City Home Network will carry 10 Spring Training games live this season, beginning with Saturday’s game against the Nationals at Park of the Palm Beaches at 12:05 p.m. CT. Saturday’s split-squad game against the Mets in Port St. Lucie won’t be televised by SCHN.

• Get tickets to Astros Spring Breakout game on March 14

Astros Spring Training games set to be televised (subject to change):

• Sat., Feb. 22 vs. WAS
• Sun., Feb. 23 at STL
• Tues., Feb. 25 vs. NYM
• Sat., March 1 at NYY
• Sun., March 9 vs. MIA
• Tues., March 11 vs. NYM
• Thurs., March 13 vs. STL
• Tues., March 18 vs. WAS
• Sat., March 22 vs. MIA
• Mon., March 24 vs. Sugar Land (@Daikin Park)

After being non-tendered by the Rockies in November, Brendan Rodgers spent the winter waiting for his next move. The news that Jose Altuve -- the Astros’ starting second baseman since 2011 -- was moving to left field caught his attention. So much so that he called his agent, Scott Boras, who also represents Altuve, to see if there was possibly a fit in Houston.

“It opened a door for me,” he said. “I had some other places that I thought were maybe going to be better opportunities. It’s almost a week into camp and I hate being late to things. I was working out at home and getting ground balls and hitting and stuff. I was getting antsy, and I wanted to get on a team. It ended up being a pretty good deal for me. I’m excited.”

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