The Houston Astros already have a surplus of infielders, and it will be interesting to see how the team decides on the starting infield lineup for 2026.
The Astros Plan for Brice Matthews in 2026
There are currently six infielders listed on the 40-man roster, including their top prospect in an under-the-radar move. Brice Matthews is now the big name in the Astros’ system and ranks No. 93 in MLB’s top 100 prospects list.
While officially listed as a shortstop, Matthews started 87 games at second base for Triple-A Sugar Land. During his brief stint with the Astros last season, Matthews played all 13 big-league games at second as well.
Where Brice Matthews Could Play
With Jose Altuve likely to spend some time in left field and at designated hitter, Matthews could see an opening. The Astros traded Mauricio Dubón for Nick Allen, who likely fills a bench role. Right now, it could be Isaac Paredes at second. Considering the numerous trade rumors circulating about him, if Houston decides to part ways with Paredes, it would create a more straightforward path for Matthews.
Matthews will compete for a starting spot in spring training and has earned praise and high expectations from the Astros’ coaches and front office. The 28th overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft from the University of Nebraska officially made his presence felt during his brief time in the major leagues last season. Matthews got promoted to the big-league team in July after Altuve moved to the outfield due to injury.
Matthews’ Major League Breakout
He burst onto the scene and got all eyes on him on July 11 after a breakout two-home run, five-RBI performance against the Diamondbacks. Matthews followed that up the next day with a clutch two-run homer in the eighth that ended up being the game-winner. Additionally, he made a remarkable double play that ended the game. The 5-foot-11, 190-lb infielder showcased his talent on both sides of the ball, which is why he remains a centerpiece for the future.
Matthews spent three seasons at Nebraska and closed his final year hitting .359 with 67 RBIs in 54 games. He smashed 20 home runs and became the first player in program history to reach the 20 HR, 20 stolen base mark in a single season. Matthews was the highest-selected Cornhusker draft pick since 2005 and spent his first year in the Astros organization growing at the Florida Complex League Astros and Single-A Fayetteville. He took the next step in 2024 and quickly rose through the ranks to reach Triple-A at the end of the year.
The Houston Kid
This pathway was a dream come true for Matthews, a Houston native who trained at the Astros Youth Academy as a younger player. Matthews attended Atascocita High School outside Houston and was ranked third at his position. He was also the starting quarterback for the football team. Before his call-up, before he was going to play in the All-Star Futures game, Matthews was playing at a high level in Sugar Land, posting a .283 AVG and .876 OPS. He hit 10 home runs, 39 RBIs, and also stole 25 bases at that time.
After a series of events in his life in Arizona, Matthews cooled off and struggled, as most prospects do in their first MLB stint. He hit for just a .167 average and .674 OPS in 13 games, while hitting four homers and nine RBIs.
The Talent Potential with Matthews
Being Dana Brown’s first draft pick as Astros GM, he naturally is high on Matthews. Brown believes he can be a complete player and unlock much more of his potential next season, such as stolen bases. The 23-year-old has already displayed his power bat, clutch ability, and defense at both the minor and major league levels. All it takes is more consistency now.
Matthews has shown that at the Triple-A level with the Space Cowboys in 2025, posting a .260 AVG and .829 OPS across 112 games. That included 17 home runs, 64 RBIs, and 41 stolen bases while he hit for the cycle in May. Strikeouts remain his main concern, with 139 in 419 Triple-A at-bats and 20 in 42 MLB at-bats.
If Matthews takes a noticeable leap this spring, Houston could more easily shift Altuve’s role and feel more comfortable moving on from Paredes.
Main Photo Credits: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images