Houston Astros Youngster Making Major Adjustment to Pitch Mix in 2024

Houston Astros' starting pitcher Hunter Brown is going to make a big adjustment to his pitch mix in 2024. He told MLB.com that he'll be working on a traditional slider this year as opposed to the "cut slider" he threw last year. He also had experimented with a sweeper but says the slider will the focus of his secondary offerings.

Per MLB.com:

Brown said he’s working with pitching coaches Josh Miller and Billy Murphy on a new slider that will have a lower velocity, which will give him another weapon from the cutter-slider he threw last year. That pitch averaged 91 mph last year, and his fastball averaged 96 mph. Right-handed hitters posted an .839 OPS against Brown last year (lefties had a .728 OPS).

“Going into it, we talked about [how] at the end of this season my numbers weren’t as good as they were at the beginning, and how to combat that and see what we can do to capitalize on a good, whole, entire season,” Brown said. “Coming off a full season, the timing’s a little bit different, too, with when you start throwing with more intensity.”

The 25-year-old flamethrower went 11-13 last season with a 5.09 ERA. His first half was excellent, but he posted an ERA of almost seven in the second half, causing him to make some adjustments. He made 29 starts for the Astros, who advanced all the way to Game 7 of the ALCS. Brown struck out 178 batters in 155.2 innings.

He'll be counted on as a key member of the rotation alongside Justin Verlander and Framber Valdez and Cristian Javier. Jose Urquidy could also slot in, as could JP France.