That’s not to say that Brown is leaving the Astros, but Rome believes it’s a near certainty that Brown will test the free agent market and try to command a big payday. Something we probably could have pieced together when he changed his agent and hired Scott Boras. According to Rome, “Brown was interested in an extension last spring, but talks with Houston’s front office never materialized into anything substantial.” At the time, Brown had a 4.60 ERA across 176 MLB innings, so it’s understandable that the Astros were uncertain, but they’re probably kicking themselves now.

Brown struck out nine and walked one while posting a 28 percent whiff rate and 32 percent CSW. Interestingly, it wasn’t the curve that led the way for Brown today but his changeup, which produced a 42 percent whiff rate and 42 percent CSW. One of the knocks on Brown has been that he doesn’t have a true “out” pitch, and while that may be true, as long as one pitch in his six-pitch arsenal shows up every game to complement his fastball, he should continue to produce solid results. He should continue to roll next week against the White Sox.

Brown allowed just two hits in the contest with one walk, and he generated 12 swings-and-misses in a sensational effort. Both hits were singles, and he rarely dealt with trouble while firing 96 pitches. The 26-year-old right-hander has not allowed a run in his last three starts, and he has lowered his ERA from 3.00 to 1.16 in the process. Brown is quickly working his way into the fantasy ace conversation. He’ll get the Royals on Sunday.

Brown worked around a pair of walks in a 26-pitch first inning. He then induced ground ball double plays to strand runners in the second and third. Brown had his best inning in the fifth, striking out the side for his first clean frame. He retired all three batters in the next inning to complete six shutout while striking out four. The 26-year-old right-hander has gotten off to an incredible start, posting a 1.50 ERA, 0.83 WHIP, and a 22/5 K/BB ratio across 24 innings. He’ll take on the Blue Jays in Houston on Monday.