Cam Smith spent most of his baseball career as an infielder.
Last season, the Houston Astros moved him to the outfield. So far, that’s working out pretty well.
Smith’s already leading MLB in Outs Above Average in the outfield this early in the season, according to Baseball Savant.
He’s the only player in the league with 2 OAA through the first week.
Smith’s done it by making all five of his opportunities count — a one-star catch, two two-star catches, a three-star catch and a five-star catch.
The Weekend Showcase
That five-star catch came over the weekend against the Angels, and it was something to see.
Smith was positioned in right-center with Zach Neto at the plate. The Angels shortstop lofted a fly ball into foul territory down the right-field line.
What happened next showcased exactly why the Astros made this position change.
Smith covered 137 feet to get there — what Statcast deemed just a 20% catch probability — before crashing into the netting to secure the out.
Catch of the Day- By The Numbers
Cam Smith covers an incredible 137 feet to snag this foul ball off the bat of Zach Neto. Statcast gives it just a 20% catch probability, it’s Smith’s first 5-star grab of the season. +.8 OAA on this play.
According to my search, Smith covered… pic.twitter.com/YibZIyrB0o
— The WARmonger (@TheWARmonger_) March 29, 2026
The WARmonger noted that it’s more distance than any catch covered during the entire 2025 season.
That’s the kind of range and athleticism that makes a position change work.
The Bigger Picture
Smith’s bat will ultimately determine his ceiling in this league. He’s shown flashes at the plate but needs more consistency to establish himself as an everyday player.
What’s clear is that he’s a gifted athlete who’s adapting well to his new home in the outfield.
The Astros saw something when they moved him out there, and early returns suggest they might’ve been onto something.
