Locked On Astros

In this episode, Brett breaks down the Astros pitchers most likely to be impact contributors in 2026, separating hype from reality and projection from actual opportunity. From Ethan Pecko’s rise as a legitimate mid-rotation option, to AJ Blubaugh’s growing importance as a multi-inning bullpen weapon, to Alonzo Tredwell’s high-variance upside, we explain how each arm fits into Houston’s plans — and why they matter beyond the box score.We also dig into:Who is most likely to break camp vs debut midseasonWhich pitchers project as rotation pieces vs bullpen solutionsHow this internal depth changes Houston’s trade deadline strategyWhy the Astros may not need to overpay for pitching help in JulyThis is a realistic, front-office-minded look at how the Astros are building their next competitive window — and why pitching development could be the difference between contention and desperation in 2026.Houston Astros’ young arms are making waves in spring training, positioning themselves as key players for the team’s 2026