WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- When Astros general manager Dana Brown said last November that Cam Smith would have to prove himself this spring to make the Opening Day roster -- after Smith spent his entire rookie season as Houston’s starting right-fielder -- the young outfielder took notice.
And, took action.
Smith showed up to second camp with the Astros, who acquired him as part of the package they got in return from the Cubs for All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker in December 2024, much more comfortable in his game and his surroundings and worked to make adjustments at the plate.
“The biggest thing for me is I know everybody's name,” he joked.
Smith, 23, made the switch from third base to right field during camp a year ago and was a Gold Glove finalist at the position. He played in 134 games as a rookie in 2025, slashing .236/.312/.358 with nine homers and 51 RBIs, but had a .479 OPS in his final 44 games.
Working with new hitting coaches Victor Rodriguez and Anthony Iapoce, Smith is using the entire field more, which means he’s pulling the ball with more authority. He’s more confident in his abilities than he was last year and says he’s shortened his swing. Smith is able to get to more pitches.
“At times my swing would get long, so I swing through heaters a lot,” he said. “But our thing is, ‘Stay short,’ and that's as simple as that sounds. It’s helped me a lot.”
Smith appears to have a spot in Houston’s outfield locked up. He’s likely the starter in right field on Thursday against the Angels, but has played some center field this spring, as well. The Astros tried to trade starting center fielder Jake Meyers in the offseason, but he will start in center on Opening Day for Houston. Left field is a little more uncertain.
Enter Brice Matthews, the Astros’ No. 4-ranked prospect by MLB Pipeline, who has been getting reps in left and center this spring, along with second base. A right-handed hitter, Matthews could serve as a platoon option in left with Joey Loperfido, Zach Cole and Yordan Alvarez -- all left-handed bats.
The Astros’ decision not to carry outfielder Taylor Trammell on the Opening Day roster essentially leaves Matthews and Cole battling for one final outfield spot, though both will make it if All-Star shortstop Jeremy Peña (finger) opens the season on the injured list. Peña fractured the tip of his right ring finger 2 1/2 weeks ago in an exhibition game with the Dominican Republic, but the Astros haven’t ruled him out for Opening Day.
Peña is swinging the bat and fielding his position in workouts. If he makes the Opening Day roster, either Cole or Matthews would begin the season in Triple-A.
Astros manager Joe Espada said he would be comfortable with Matthews, a first-round pick out of the University of Nebraska in 2023 as a shortstop, playing in the outfield.
“I played [outfield] in high school, a little bit in college, so I wasn't too unfamiliar for me,” Matthews said. “But I'm an athlete. I feel like I play wherever and be just fine wherever. So where the team needs me to be. I'll be more than ready to go.
Matthews had a slash line of .283/.400/.476 with 10 homers, 39 RBIs and 25 steals at Triple-A last year when he was called up to the Major Leagues one day before he was set to play in the All-Star Futures Game. In the Majors, he homered three times in a two-game span in Arizona in July and posted a .675 OPS with four homers in 47 plate appearances.
This spring, Matthews has shown the speed and athleticism that could put him on his first Opening Day roster. He posted an .824 in 43 plate appearances in Grapefruit League play entering Sunday with 10 RBIs, eight steals and eight walks.
“He’s having a heck of a spring,” Espada said. “Swinging the bat well, playing all over the field, stealing bases. The athleticism is what we’re looking for. He gives you the versatility for me to do a lot of things with him on the field.”