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The Houston Astros have had Framber Valdez as the team’s ace for years, but that is a title that Hunter Brown is looking to hold.
A fifth-round pick in the 2019 MLB Draft out of Wayne State University, the talented right-hander gave a glimpse of what he was capable of in 2024.
From May through the end of the season, there were only two pitchers to register a lower ERA than Brown: Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates and Chris Sale of the Atlanta Braves, both of whom won some hardware.
Skenes was the National League Rookie of the Year, while Sale won the NL Cy Young Award.
Brown didn’t receive any of the accolades of his peers, but the Astros had to be thrilled with the level of production that he was providing.
In 2025, that momentum has not stopped, as he has continued to blow opponents away every time he takes the mound.
The awards and honors that Brown missed out on in 2024 are all going to be within his reach this year, given how well he has pitched.
Through 12 starts and 73.2 innings, he has a 1.83 ERA with 84 strikeouts. He has won an MLB-high eight games and produced an impressive 2.9 bWAR, which is already a career high for a single season.
Brown has honed his control, issuing fewer walks this season. He has also done a great job of limiting hard contact, surrendering fewer hits and home runs as well.
Hunter Brown Can Unlock Another Level Improving Arsenal
It has culminated in an excellent breakout campaign. But the best part for Houston is that this isn’t even his final form.
As shared by Eno Sarris of The Athletic (subscription required), Brown is getting by right now with dominant fastballs. His secondary pitches haven’t quite caught up yet, but when they do, he will be even tougher to hit against.
“If there is a nit to pick, it's that the secondaries aren't quite as good as the fastballs, but the knuckle curve scores well by Stuff+ and should be able to handle more usage if the fastball-heavy approach hits a snag,” Sarris wrote.
Per Baseball Savant, Brown has a Pitching Run Value of +16, which is in the 99th percentile.
A massive chunk of that is from his Fastball Run Value of +13, also in the 99th percentile. His Breaking Run Value of +3 and Offspeed Run Value of +1 are both above average, but not nearly as elite in the 79th and 73rd percentiles.
Already one of the best pitchers in baseball, Brown could become truly elite by taking his secondary pitches to that next level.
More must-reads:
- Yankees beef up bullpen by acquiring ex-Pirates closer
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- The 'National League MVPs' quiz
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TODAY'S BEST
Rangers Interested in Veteran Outfielder To Boost Offensive Ceiling
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Final Fantasy Meets Dragon Quest In Legendary Crossover
What’s more iconic than Cloud wielding a Buster Sword? How about Cloud rocking Erdrick’s Armor and wrecking Dragon Quest monsters all in one event? That’s right, Square Enix has decided to gift us mere mortals a crossover between Final Fantasy VII Ever Crisis and Dragon Quest Tact. This limited event runs from July 30 to August 6, and if you’re not hyped yet, you might want to check your gaming pulse. But what does this actually mean for you? Well, buckle up, because this crossover is more than just a gimmick. It’s packed with so much fan service that even Sephiroth might need a break from brooding to join in on the fun. The Chaos, The Loot, The Slimeocalypse First off, Final Fantasy VII Ever Crisis is about to host King Slime and his slimy gang because, apparently, even pixels deserve to meet their heroes. Players get to battle these absurdly charming enemies and earn event-exclusive gear worthy of both franchises. We’re talking Cloud stepping into Erdrick’s Armor and wielding what is unquestionably one of the most epic swords in gaming. Aerith, not to be outdone, is gracefully handed the Supreme Sage Garb because, you know, killing enemies and looking fabulous is her thing. And don’t even get me started on Sephiroth taking a cosplay detour as Psaro. Imagine one iconic villain dressing up as another. It’s meta. It’s chaotic. It’s everything we didn’t know we needed. Players, Prepare for Nostalgia Overload The crossover also throws in daily free draws, a boatload of loot, and arguably, a reason to ditch any other mobile games cluttering up your screen time. There’s something inherently rewarding about collecting crossover goodies that scream, “I was there when Square Enix decided Cloud needed an RPG glow-up with Dragon Quest-style flair.” Some highlights from the event include: Daily Free Ten Pulls (Spoiler Alert: Prepare for gacha heartbreak… and joy). Crossover Missions loaded with rewards like Red XIII’s Great Sabrecat Collar (think of it as drip for your furry companion). Event Bonuses that range from refined Mythril piles to rare crossover wallpapers that scream, “Yeah, I’m that gamer.” And, oh yeah, login bonuses stacked higher than a stack of pancakes at a chocobo-catered brunch. Why This Crossover Actually Slaps If you’re rolling your eyes at the idea of yet another crossover event, it’s time for a quick reality check. This isn’t just a lazy cash-grab with recycled assets and buzzwords. It’s a love letter to fans of both games, blending two legendary worlds into an experience that’s as ridiculous as it is satisfying. Think of it like a bizarre but beautiful RPG fever dream where Dragon Quest monsters challenge Final Fantasy heroes, and the only loser is anyone who missed out. Plus, when was the last time you saw King Slime try to flex on Aerith? Exactly. Is this Peak Mobile Gaming? Now, will this event cure all your gaming ailments? Probably not. Will it load up your plate with so much nostalgia and fan-service-packed chaos that even your backlog of unplayed games might get jealous? Absolutely. Square Enix’s crossover brilliance usually lies in its ability to unite wildly different fandoms and generate hype that turns even the most casual gamer into a midnight-grinding, loot-obsessed fan. And if that’s not peak mobile gaming, what even is? Final Thoughts Events like these are why gaming history has a vault packed with “Hype Levels Overload” moments. Whether you’re here for the loot, the cross-franchise cosplays, or just some good old-fashioned Dragon Quest monster smashing with your favorite FF cast, this event delivers on every front. Hot tip? Set your alarms. Grab your popcorn. And pray that RNG is in your favor for those 10 pulls. Trust me, you’ll want bragging rights when someone asks why Cloud suddenly looks like he walked out of a Dragon Quest cutscene. Remember, this party only lasts for a week. Don’t sleep on it, because King Slime certainly won’t. Be sure to visit Total Apex Gaming for more game-related news and content.
Former Angels Outfielder Calls Out Halos as Trade Deadline Nears
The Los Angeles Angels have just a few more hours until the trade deadline, and a former player recently called out his former squad for not selling. The Halos are four games back from the final Wild Card spot and recently brought in a pair of veteran relievers, but retired centerfielder Cameron Maybin thinks that the Angels should be parting ways with more pieces to build towards the future. "What are the Angels waiting for," asked Maybin on his Twitter/X account. "...start selling already!" Maybin went a step further, later asserting that closer Kenley Jansen was signed purely for trade deadline movement. "Dodgers might as well go get Kenley Jansen back at this point," Maybin wrote on X. "Pretty sure he signed with the Angels just to make the trade deadline commute smoother. "Just feels right to me!" If the Angels believe that they can make a run, holding onto a revered closer such as Jansen is certainly what the correct course of action is. After the Halos acquired Luis Garcia and Andrew Chafin from the Washington Nationals, for Jake Eder and minor leaguer Sam Brown on Wednesday, it looks like it could be the start of building a contender for this season. Another piece that the Halos would get a ton of value from is adding another starting pitcher. Perhaps flipping an expiring contract for a rotational piece so as not to give up a prospect keeps the Angels in contention for 2025, but doesn't mess with the future of the franchise. Regardless of what happens next, the Angels are still a piece or two away from being seen as a team that can make an impact in October. If the Halos do, in fact, start selling as Maybin urged, the deals must start coming in before 3:00 p.m PT.
Latest reporting paints unflattering picture of Shedeur Sanders amid QB competition
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