Hunter Brown could be the one to step up to the mound if Valdez starts for another team in 2026. Brown made his major league debut on September 5, 2022, with the Houston Astros. This 6’2”, 27‑year-old pitcher has shown great potential for the Astros franchise and has steadily developed into one of the team’s most promising young arms.

In 2025, Brown had a very solid performance. In 31 appearances, he had a 12‑9 win-loss record, a 2.43 ERA, and 206 strikeouts across 185.1 innings pitched. Taking a look at his 2025 stats, per MLB:

 2025 – HOU: W‑L: 12‑9, G: 31, IP: 185.1, K: 206, ERA: 2.43, WHIP: 1.03

It is also important to note that during those 31 games, Yainer Díaz was often behind the plate, and the two showed potential to develop a strong battery. Their growing chemistry gives the Astros confidence that Brown could step into a more prominent role.

This right-handed starting pitcher is known for his power pitching approach. His primary weapon is his fastball, a high-velocity four-seam fastball, usually sitting in the mid-90s mph, occasionally reaching 99 mph. His secondary strength is his slider, which is most effective against right-handed hitters. 

Known for his strikeouts, durability, and consistency, Brown has the potential to become the Astros’ next ace on the mound. If Valdez signs with another team, the organization’s next move will be to strengthen the chemistry between Brown and Díaz and continue developing Brown as a leader in the rotation.