A pair of HRs in 1st spring ABs put Smith on top of the world

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- It didn’t take long for Cam Smith, the Astros’ top-ranked prospect by MLB Pipeline (No. 59 overall in '25), to show his stuff in Grapefruit League play on Tuesday. Smith walloped a pair of opposite-field home runs in his only two at-bats in the Astros’ 8-5 win over the Mets at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches.

“I can’t even describe it, but it feels like the best feeling in the world,” Smith said. “It’s a blessing just to get opportunities to get in there, whether you’re starting the game, whether you’re getting the back-half of the game. To see that caliber of pitching this year, it’s huge as a ballplayer.”

In his first spring at-bat with the Astros, Smith came off the bench and rocketed an opposite-field two-run homer to right field in the sixth inning off Mets reliever Austin Warren. He then hit a solo homer -- just to the right of center field -- in the eighth inning off Connor Overton.

“It doesn’t look like his first Spring Training camp,” Astros manager Joe Espada said. “He’s walking into an organization that has had a lot of success, and he feels like he can be part of this and he can be part of success, and he’s excited to be here. You see how he goes about his work every day. I’ve been very impressed. I know it’s early in camp, but that’s what you’re looking for in young players that have the ability to do special things, come in swinging the bat. That’s pretty cool, man.”

Smith was the No. 14 overall pick in last year’s Draft out of Florida State by the Cubs, who dealt him and two other players to the Astros in December for outfielder Kyle Tucker. For Smith, the adjustment to a new team has been eased by the fact he gets to live at home with his parents.

• Smith ready to seize opportunity with Astros

Smith attended Palm Beach Central High School in Wellington, Fla., which is about 20 miles from the Astros’ training facility, and had his mother, grandparents and some family friends in the stands on Tuesday.

“That’s a huge part,” Smith said. “I’m living with my parents, so this transition is not easy, but a lot easier than it would have been going to another team. That helped out a lot. These guys welcomed me with open arms. There’s no bad blood. You’re family now. It’s good energy around me. It made it easier.”

Smith, who entered the game at third base, said he’s been focusing on his defense this spring more than he ever has before. The Astros also plan to give him some reps in right field, but they’ll find a spot for him on the roster at some point this year if he keeps swinging the bat.

“We all knew he had the potential to do the things he’s showing, but when you see it live it’s like, ‘OK, this is real,’” Espada said. “We’ve got to keep developing this young man to help us win at a Major League level.”