Slugging two home runs against the Padres provided the latest portrait of how far Smith has come. At 22 years and 55 days old, Smith became the youngest Astro to have a multi-homer game since Yordan Alvarez accomplished it en route to unanimous AL Rookie of the Year honors in 2019.

Still clad in his uniform, Cam Smith took in the postgame fireworks show Friday night at Daikin Park that followed the figurative one he had just staged. He then returned to the Houston Astros' clubhouse and in the wake of his best game as a big leaguer offered a simple claim.