Former Notre Dame star Trey Mancini makes history in second start with Houston Astros

Trey Mancini was one of the many players moved at this year’s MLB Trade Deadline, heading from the Baltimore Orioles to the Houston Astros. Two games into his time with his new team, the former Notre Dame star is already making history.

Mancini hit a home run in each of his first two starts with the Astros. Back in 2016, he did the same thing in his first two starts with the Orioles, becoming the first player in the modern era to hit a home run in his first two starts with his first two MLB teams, according to Stats by STATS.

In Friday’s game, Mancini had a two-homer game — the first of his career — and knocked in five RBI to help the Astros to a 9-3 win over the Cleveland Guardians. Since heading to Houston ahead of the Aug. 2 trade deadline, all three of Mancini’s hits as an Astro have been home runs.

Baltimore traded Mancini to Houston as part of a three-team trade with the Tampa Bay Rays. The Orioles received two minor league pitchers, the Rays got outfielder Jose Siri from the Rays and Houston got Mancini from Baltimore and a minor league pitcher from Tampa Bay.

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In 92 games this season, Mancini has spent most of his time as the designated hitter while also playing first base and making the occasional appearance in the outfield. He has a solid .751 OPS throughout the year, mashing 10 home runs and driving in 41 runs.

Mancini has been someone Baltimore has been able to rally around since his return to baseball. He missed the entire 2020 season after being diagnosed with cancer. He was able to beat the disease and returned to play during the 2021 season and won the AL Comeback Player of the Year. This season — two years after his diagnosis — Mancini made his first All-Star game.