Zach Cole Fantasy Stats

The Houston Astros optioned outfield prospect Zach Cole to Triple-A Sugar Land on Wednesday, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Cole loses out on the final roster spot for Opening Day to infield prospect Brice Matthews. The 25-year-old hit just .200 (8-for-40) with two home runs, five RBI, five runs scored, five stolen bases, eight walks, and 20 strikeouts in 16 Grapefruit League games this spring. The former 10th-rounder in 2022 out of Ball State made his big-league debut last year and hit .255 (12-for-47) with four home runs, 11 RBI, nine runs scored, and three steals in 15 games played. He hit .176 with a 40.5% strikeout rate in his last 37 plate appearances. Cole brings some intriguing power and speed to the table, but issues making contact could prevent him from reaching his true potential at the next level. Cole slashed .279/.377/.539 with 19 homers and 18 steals in 97 games in 2025 at Sugar Land. The left-handed-hitting outfielder is a fine stash in dynasty/keeper leagues, and we should be seeing him again in 2026 at the major-league level in a platoon outfield role.

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.