A major wake-up call in the Astros’ projected 2026 rotation
By now, Astros fans have likely seen the flurry of national articles and social media posts projecting Houston’s starting rotation for the 2026 season. Attention has naturally focused on Lance McCullers Jr. and his prominent inclusion in many of these predictions. But beyond the familiar names, a much more worrying trend is hiding in plain sight.
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Every projected Astros starter discussed is right-handed.
Call me crazy, but running a rotation made up entirely of right-handed pitchers on a daily basis doesn’t seem like a formula for sustained success. Yes, the organization is expected to move on from left-hander Framber Valdez, but if Colton Gordon is truly the only left-handed starting option currently in the system, that indicates there is still significant work to be done for Dana Brown and the Astros front office.
Whether this solution is part of a larger trade, perhaps to eliminate the current infield logjam while adding talented young pitchers, or through a more targeted deal specifically aimed at addressing this imbalance, it’s hard to believe the Astros are comfortable entering spring training with such a glaring lack of left-handed starters. At least one, if not several, lefties should be on their radar before camp opens.
That’s not to say the projected rotation lacks quality. In fact, there’s plenty to love from top to bottom. Hunter Brown has firmly established himself as the ace and anchor of the staff, and there’s little reason to believe his trajectory is anything other than upward. Replacing Framber Valdez with Tatsuya Imai was a smart move by the front office, providing a strong presence near the top of the rotation.
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Christian Javier and Spencer Arrighetti should be in the top five, while newcomers Mike Burrows and Ryan Weiss bring intriguing upside as potential contributors. McCullers, who is entering the final year of his contract, will have every chance to earn a rotation spot. If he fails, veterans such as Jason Alexander and JP France could be considered. Even young prospects like AJ Blubaugh will have a legitimate chance to prove they belong among the club’s top six starters.
The Astros have already indicated that early-season scheduling, injury management and workload issues will lead them to deploy a six-man rotation. This makes the lack of balance in the left hand even more noticeable. As it stands, Colton Gordon appears to be the only left-handed starter with a chance of being used when the team breaks camp. Whether or not he earns a permanent spot in the rotation will be determined by how he pitches this spring as well as injuries and potential additions to the club.
For this reason alone, expect Dana Brown to stay active and creative in the months to come. Adding at least one left-handed starter before Opening Day feels less like a luxury and more like a necessity.
One way or another, the Astros’ rotation for 2026 will change between now and Opening Day. The question is not if Dana Brown adds a left-handed arm, who is it? how ? And in how long?
