Houston Astros
![Payne and Pendergast]()
Astros ace Framber Valdez has not been his usual self to start this season.
Known for his high groundball rate, that number has dipped significantly so far in 2025. He's not exactly getting the results he wants with his sinker and his groundball rate of 51.7 percent would be the lowest of his career over a full season.
How worried should Astros fans be about Valdez? In The Loop's John P. Lopez is already claiming Hunter Brown as the club's new ace.
Payne & Pendergast talked Monday about their concern level with the slow start by Valdez.
