Astros Sign Hard-Throwing Right-Hander Nate Pearson to Major League Deal
The Houston Astros have made their first offseason move, adding a high-upside arm to their pitching staff.
After failing to reach the playoffs, the Astros’ offseason is already in motion. Owner Jim Crane has confirmed that both GM Dana Brown and manager Joe Espada will return for the 2026 season, but several coaching staff and organizational personnel have been let go or not retained—signaling a period of transition ahead.
One position still to be filled is the team’s hitting coach, but Brown has wasted no time in addressing the roster. According to Chandler Rome of The Athletic, Houston has signed right-handed pitcher Nate Pearson to a one-year, $1.35 million Major League deal. Rome added that the Astros intend to stretch Pearson out as a starter.
Pearson spent the 2025 season with the Chicago Cubs, primarily working out of the bullpen. He struggled mightily, posting a 9.20 ERA in just 11 appearances, which led to frequent shuttles between Triple-A and the big-league roster. This performance came on the heels of a strong 2024 stretch with Chicago, where he posted a 2.73 ERA in 19 outings (one start) after being acquired at the trade deadline.
Who Is Nate Pearson?
Astros fans might not know much about Pearson, but his name once carried considerable weight among prospect evaluators. Drafted 28th overall by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2017, he quickly climbed the ranks, being named the organization’s No. 1 prospect in both 2020 and 2021. He was also a consensus top-10 prospect in all of baseball, peaking at No. 8 in 2020.
Pearson earned that hype through dominant minor league performances—posting a career 2.53 ERA across 117 outings (42 starts), with 300 strikeouts, 92 walks, a .176 opponents’ batting average, and a 1.01 WHIP over 234 2/3 innings.
However, his success has not translated consistently at the MLB level. Over 123 games (six starts), he’s recorded a 5.17 ERA and has struggled with both command and effectiveness, tallying just 160 strikeouts and 74 walks in 156 2/3 innings.
While not a blockbuster move, the Astros see Pearson as a low-risk, high-reward signing at $1.35 million. Given his past potential and electric stuff, they’re betting that a change of scenery and new role could help unlock his long-hyped upside.
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