The Houston Astros are bracing for a significant overhaul of their pitching staff ahead of the 2025 season. Key losses include Justin Verlander and Yusei Kikuchi, who have signed with the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Angels, respectively. Jose Urquidy was non-tendered, leaving the Astros with a roster that is heavily reliant on recovering players like Lance McCullers Jr., Cristian Javier, and Luis Garcia.

One player to watch is Hunter Brown, who had a stellar debut in 2022 but struggled in 2023. However, in 2024, he rebounded to become the team's No. 2 starter behind Framber Valdez, showcasing improved metrics, including a 2.6 WAR and exceptional hard contact avoidance. With Valdez also projected to be a free agent, the Astros could look to secure Brown with a pre-arbitration extension to maintain their competitive edge.