Four Under-the-Radar Names Who Could Make a Big Impact for the 2026 Astros

Every MLB season has its surprises – players who weren’t penciled into the spotlight but end up playing a pivotal role in a team’s success. For the 2026 Houston Astros, a team still anchored by stars like Yordan Alvarez, Jose Altuve, and Hunter Brown, the next wave of contributors might come from less expected places. And with a roster full of question marks, especially in the outfield and pitching staff, the door is wide open for some new faces to step into the spotlight.

We’re not just talking about prospects with potential. We’re looking at players who’ve shown flashes, have the tools, and are now in position to turn that potential into production. Here are four Astros who could be this year’s breakout difference-makers.

Joey Loperfido: The Return of a Familiar Face

Joey Loperfido’s journey back to Houston is one of those baseball stories that feels like it’s come full circle. Just two years ago, he was lighting up spring training with a .382/.488/.588 line, looking every bit like a future contributor. That didn’t land him on the Opening Day roster, but he kept raking in Triple-A Sugar Land, slashing .272/.365/.568 and forcing his way into the conversation.

Then came the detour – a midseason trade in 2024 sent him to the Blue Jays in exchange for Yusei Kikuchi. In Toronto, things didn’t quite click.

He struggled to find consistent playing time and was buried on the depth chart. But in a brief 104-plate appearance stretch last season, something shifted.

Loperfido slashed .333/.379/.500, showing the kind of offensive upside that made him a top prospect in the first place.

He’s got the raw power. He’s got the speed.

And as a left-handed bat, he could bring some much-needed balance to Houston’s lineup. If he builds on last year’s late-season surge, Loperfido could go from forgotten name to everyday contributor in a hurry.

Spencer Arrighetti: A Rotation Wild Card with Frontline Potential

Spencer Arrighetti’s stat line might not pop off the page just yet, but the tools are there – and the Astros know it. The 26-year-old right-hander flashed real swing-and-miss stuff in 2024, posting a 27.1% strikeout rate.

The issue was consistency, and injuries didn’t help. He was limited to just 35.1 innings last season, never quite getting into a groove.

But there’s a reason Houston remains high on him. Like Hunter Brown before him, Arrighetti added a sinker to his arsenal – a pitch the Astros have used to great effect in developing arms. Brown’s 2025 breakout was partially credited to embracing that sinker, and there’s optimism that Arrighetti could follow a similar path.

The biggest hurdle? The long ball.

He’s allowed 1.35 home runs per nine innings in his big league career, and that’s the stat that needs trimming. If the sinker helps him keep the ball in the yard, his strikeout-heavy approach could play beautifully in a rotation that’s looking for depth behind its top arms.

Zach Cole: Power, Speed, and a Whole Lot of Potential

Zach Cole might remind Astros fans of Loperfido – toolsy, athletic, and capable of playing all three outfield spots. But Cole’s game comes with even more volatility… and possibly more upside.

Last year, he got a taste of the big leagues, filling in for an injured Yordan Alvarez during the final two weeks of the season. And in just 15 games, he made a loud impression: four home runs, three stolen bases, and a .255/.327/.553 slash line. That’s the kind of production that turns heads – even in a small sample.

The red flag? Strikeouts.

Cole went down on strikes in 38.5% of his 52 plate appearances in September, and his K-rate hovered around 35% in the minors as well. That’s a number that needs to come down if he’s going to stick.

But even as a three-true-outcome player, his speed, defense, and raw power give him a shot to carve out a role – especially if the Astros need some pop from the left side.

Ryan Weiss: A KBO Import with Intriguing Upside

Ryan Weiss isn’t your typical prospect story. Once a farmhand in the Diamondbacks and Royals systems, he never cracked a big-league roster before heading overseas. But after two seasons in Korea – capped off by a 2.87 ERA last year – Weiss has reemerged as a name to watch in Houston’s camp.

His stuff? Legit.

Weiss throws four pitches, but it’s the fastball-slider combo that stands out. The fastball sits in the high 90s with late life, and the slider is a mid-80s wipeout pitch that misses bats.

His curveball and changeup are more about keeping hitters honest, but they round out a solid arsenal.

Scouts noted that Weiss was more effective early in games, and when he moved to the bullpen during the KBO playoffs, he was dominant. That could be his ticket in Houston. If he doesn’t crack the rotation, a high-leverage bullpen role might be where he thrives – and if that happens, the Astros’ relief corps could become even more dangerous.

Final Thoughts

The Astros’ core remains intact, but championship teams are built on more than just stars. They need depth, development, and a few surprises along the way. Joey Loperfido, Spencer Arrighetti, Zach Cole, and Ryan Weiss might not be household names – yet – but each brings something unique to the table.

If even one or two of them hit, Houston could once again find itself right in the thick of the playoff hunt. And if all four make the leap? Well, the rest of the league might want to start paying attention.