Zach Cole Fantasy Stats

Houston Astros outfielder Zach Cole will have a chance to compete for a starting role in the team's Opening Day lineup, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic. The Astros have reportedly made it clear they "want to see more" of him, and he "will arrive [at spring training] with every chance to crack the club." Cole slashed .255/.327/.553 across a small sample size (15 games) in the majors as a rookie last year. He struck out at a 38.5% clip, but that number should settle down as he accumulates at-bats. There's a lot to like about his four home runs, .303 xwOBA, and 142 wRC+ during that span. He also flashed upside defensively and is certainly capable of an everyday role in either corner outfield spot. Rome projects that Cole, Jake Meyers, and Cam Smith will occupy the Astros' Opening Day outfield from left to right.

Houston Astros outfield prospect Zach Cole Jr. is currently on a tear with Double-A Corpus Christi, slashing .378/.451/.800 with five doubles, four home runs, 12 RBI, and 4:15 BB/SO through 12 games in July, collecting multiple base hits in six of them. Just over a week away from his 24th birthday, Cole is the Astros' No. 5 prospect (per MLB.com). After missing the first month of this season with a hamstring injury, he's slashing .266/.371/.503 with 10 doubles, eight homers, 29 RBI, nine steals, and 18:62 BB/SO through 48 Double-A games. Cole is expected to make his MLB debut sometime next year.