Houston Astros infielder Zach Dezenzo has made the team's Opening Day roster, according to manager Joe Espada. Houston's fifth-ranked prospect made his major league debut for the club last season, slashing .242/.277/.371 with a pair of home runs in 65 plate appearances, even making the postseason roster, although the Astros will want to see improvement on the 33.8 percent strikeout he owned during his short stint. The 6-foot-5 slugger performed better this spring, slashing .391/.440/.630 with two home runs and a stolen base in 50 plate appearances with a 28.0 percent strikeout rate. The 24-year-old earns a bench spot for the big league club, with first baseman Christian Walker and third baseman Isaac Paredes blocking his path to playing time at his primary positions. There is potential for big power numbers if he were to get an opportunity for regular at-bats, but without a full-time role, his fantasy relevance is limited to extremely deep and AL-only leagues.
Houston Astros infielder Zach Dezenzo (jaw) is back in the team's Grapefruit League lineup on Thursday against the Miami Marlins, playing right field and batting cleanup. Dezenzo suffered a TMJ sprain in his jaw when he was hit in the face by a ground ball on Tuesday. The 24-year-old was cleared to play on Thursday after he avoided a concussion. He will now resume competing for one of the team's final roster spots out of camp as a bench player after playing in his first 19 major-league games in 2024. In 65 plate appearances, Dezenzo went 15-for-62 (.242) with two home runs, eight RBI and five runs scored. He's been better in spring training, going 14-for-37 (.378) with two homers, six RBI, a steal and seven runs scored in 15 Grapefruit League contests. Dezenzo is still developing as a hitter and won't carry much value in fantasy as a bench player if he makes the Opening Day roster.
Houston Astros manager Joe Espada said on Wednesday that infielder Zach Dezenzo (jaw) is expected to play in the team's Grapefruit League game on Thursday versus the Miami Marlins. Dezenzo is being seen by team doctors to make sure he doesn't have a concussion, but the 24-year-old appears to be fine after he was hit in the head by a ground ball in camp on Tuesday. He was officially diagnosed with a TMJ sprain on the left side of his jaw. The former 12th-round selection in 2022 out of Ohio State is currently hitting .378 (14-for-37) with two home runs, three doubles, six RBI, one steal and seven runs scored in 15 spring training games as he competes for a bench spot to begin the 2025 season. Dezenzo was a below-average hitter in his first 19 big-league games a year ago and probably would benefit from more time in the minors to begin the season.
Houston Astros infield prospect Zach Dezenzo (face) suffered a TMJ sprain during Tuesday's spring training contest. Dezenzo was hit by a ground ball on the right side of his face. Brian McTaggart of MLB.com noted that this injury is not expected to be serious, but he will undergo another exam. The 24-year-old has been swinging a hot bat throughout camp, holding a .378/.410/.622 slash line with two long balls and three doubles. The Ohio State product made his MLB debut last summer and posted a .242/.277/.371 slash line with two doubles and two home runs across 19 contests. In 25 games at Triple-A last season, Dezenzo posted an impressive .333/.425/.573 slash line with eight doubles and five home runs. If he were to make the Opening Day roster, he could have value in deeper AL-only formats as a depth infielder.
Houston Astros corner infielder Zach Dezenzo (head) was forced to exit early during Tuesday's spring training contest against the Washington Nationals. Dezenzo was hit in the head by a ground ball, but was able to leave the field under his own power. It's worth noting that the 24-year-old appeared to be dealing with a jaw issue while exiting the field. The expectation is that the Astros will have Dezenzo undergo imaging to determine the severity of the issue. Dezenzo was poised to take on a bigger role in Houston this season, so hopefully it's only a minor issue.
Brice Matthews, Zach Dezenzo, Cam Smith Seeing Time At New Positions
According to Chandler Rome of The Athletic, Houston Astros prospects Brice Matthews, Zach Dezenzo, and Cam Smith will get opportunities at new positions during spring training. Matthews, who is primarily a shortstop, will see time at the keystone. Dezenzo, who has played primarily in the infield, will see starts at left and right field. In addition, Cam Smith will continue to see time at the hot corner and will also see a few opportunities in the outfield. Matthews spent most of the 2024 season at the Double-A level and earned a brief look at Triple-A late in the season. Dezenzo logged 19 games in Houston last season and held a .242/.277/.371 line with two doubles and two home runs. The Astros acquired Cam Smith from the Chicago Cubs in the Kyle Tucker trade earlier this offseason. Smith was drafted with the 14th overall pick in last year's draft and is viewed as the top prospect in the system. Dezenzo has the best chance to make the Opening Day roster out of camp, while Matthews will have to see more time at Triple-A to reach the big leagues.
Zach Dezenzo Will Get Opportunities In Spring Training
According to Chandler Rome of The Athletic, Houston Astros outfield prospect Zach Dezenzo is expected to get "a lot of run at left field" during spring training. Dezenzo was given a brief 19-game MLB debut last summer and posted a .242/.277/.371 line with two doubles and two home runs. However, the team is opening the door for him to not only make the Opening Day roster but have a spot in the starting lineup. Dezenzo was very productive in his first taste of Triple-A earlier last summer as he posted an impressive .333/.425/.573 with eight doubles, five home runs, and a 15:25 BB:K rate. He brought in 20 RBI and swiped three bags. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his progress during spring training as he could have value in deeper redraft formats. If he were to win the starting role, Mauricio Dubon would likely shift to a bench role.
Houston Astros corner infield prospect Zach Dezenzo missed time in the beginning of the 2024 season due to a wrist injury but got back on the field in June, playing 22 games at Double-A and only 11 more at Triple-A before earning a promotion to the big leagues in August. The 24-year-old played in 19 games for the Astros, slashing .242/.277/.371 with a pair of home runs in 65 plate appearances. With the Astros having some holes to fill at both first base and third base in 2025, Dezenzo is getting extra reps in the Puerto Rican Winter League to get ready for next spring and is showing well so far. Through 14 games and 61 plate appearances, the former 12th-round draft pick is leading the circuit in batting average, which stands at .380. He hasn't yet hit a home run, but the right-handed hitter has collected three doubles and has walked more than he's struck out (8:7 BB:K). The youngster has some pop in his bat along with some speed, hitting 18 home runs and stealing 22 bags across two levels of the minors in 2023 (410 PA), so if Dezenzo can earn a roster spot come spring, he could be an intriguing fantasy option in 2025.
The Houston Astros optioned infield prospect Zach Dezenzo back to Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday to make room on the active roster for the return of All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker (shin) in his return from the 60-day injured list. Dezenzo, the club's No. 5 prospect per MLB Pipeline, will head back to the minors for more development after looking overmatched at the plate in his first 17 major-league contests. In 55 plate appearances, he went 11-for-52 (.212) with a homer, two doubles, six RBI, three walks and 18 strikeouts. The 24-year-old stands at 6-foot-5 and 220 pounds understandably is intriguing for his raw power and has the ability to hit 30-plus home runs over a full season. However, high strikeout rates in the minors as well mean he probably isn't going to be much of an average guy at the next level. Because of his size and lack of quickness, a move to third base eventually is expected.
Zach Dezenzo Making Another Start At First Base On Sunday
Houston Astros first base prospect Zach Dezenzo is making another start at first base on Sunday afternoon. The 24-year-old has made three so far through his first four major league games. As a result, Jon Singleton will once again be sitting on the bench. Through his first taste of the big leagues, Dezenzo has posted a .313 AVG with a double and a home run. Since July 21, Singleton has held a modest .220 AVG with only two long balls and one double. Fantasy managers should continue to keep an eye on the Houston starting nine, as the Ohio State product could be overtaking starting duties in the Space City. Dezenzo is worth a look in DFS this afternoon as he will face Boston southpaw James Paxton who carries a high 4.42 ERA.
Zach Dezenzo
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