Top Three Young Astros Players Who Could Step Up in 2027

The Houston Astros have offseason changes to make to prepare for 2027. That being said, sometimes it's about preparing for next season, and other times it's about building for the future and rebuilding. Some of the Astros' core are in their thirties and have only a few seasons left. Still, they have gaps and room for improvement, and a few young players have stepped up and earned their spot in the conversation. A handful will likely see significantly more time in 2027; here's who. 

Starting with Lucas Spence. He had a short run in the majors this season, but what a run he had. Spence made his major league debut on July 17, but was optioned back to the Sugar Land Space Cowboys. Spence thought his season was over after Sugar Land ended, but he was far from done with the 2026 season. He was recalled on September 23, and it was a good call. 

The 23-year-old went 0-for-3 against the Seattle Mariners for his MLB return. On September 23, he was just another young kid striking out at the plate; on September 24, he was making headlines. 

His first game back and his second were night and day. He went from 0-for-3 to three home runs in one game. His first major league home run was a three-run shot during a game the Astros desperately needed to win. At that point, Spence had really already done his part, but he wasn't done yet. He crushed two more home runs, both solo, and just like that, Spence drove in five runs for the Astros.

If not for this late call-up, Spence might not be in the Astros' conversation for 2027, but he should be now. 

Then there is Ethan Pecko. He made his major league debut August 19 against the Angels, and then made his second start against the Yankees. Pecko has had his ups and downs on the major league mound, but has also shown he can hold his own. 

Then there is Miguel Ullola. Ullola proved he could handle the majors, but he’s young, and the Astros debuted him earlier than intended. He went from top prospect to early debut and didn’t fall apart. Beyond Bryan Abreu's future, Ullola will likely take on a bigger role; it now comes down to whether he can handle the workload. 

Among players closest to being ready for a bigger role, Pecko is probably at the top of the list, given how much time he's spent in the majors compared to the other two. That said, if Abreu is on his way out, Ullola could take on a bigger role as a reliever, but stepping into Abreu's spot would be a huge step that Ullola may not be quite ready for yet. Then there is Spence, who again had a short run, but an explosive one. His time in the majors was short-lived, so it raises the question of whether he can consistently contribute at the major league level. Either way, definitely three players to watch as they prep for the 2027 season.