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Astros in Fantasy: Sneak peak into 2016 rankings of 1st place Astros
Where do the Astros players rank in fantasy baseball?
Aug 19, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa (1) gets a walk-off game-winning RBI single during the thirteenth inning as the Astros defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 3-2 at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
The Houston Astros are currently 2 1/2 games ahead of the Texas Rangers in the AL West. Following a day off, I thought it would be a good time to see where your favorite Astros rank in the early ESPN fantasy rankings. Keep in mind that this ranks the players as they are currently performing this season. This is a good gauge into what the players value is in terms of starting to pick keepers. Let’s take a look at where your Houston Astros currently rank overall and by position.
12th Overall Player – Jose Altuve
Altuve is probably the Astros MVP for the 2015 season, so of course he would be the highest ranked Astro on the list. Altuve is the older but smaller brother of the young Astros team. He leads by example with his .311 Avg/ 11 HR/ 57 RBI. If that wasn’t enough, he has 36 stolen bases. Where does he rank among the other second baseman, let’s say that he is currently the king of the castle at second base? Robinson Cano and Jason Kipnis could raise to the top later, but Altuve has been the best second baseman this year.
28th Overall Player – Carlos Correa
The rookie is already getting love as a top 30 player. Recently, David Ortiz was quoted as saying that in 2017, Correa will be the best player in baseball. Thanks for the respect Big Papi, I agree with him, and I think he could be a top-10 player next year. Since Dickie Thon, the Astros have had an offensive hole at shortstop on a consistent basis. During his rookie season, Correa has batted .273/ 17 HR/ 51 RBI. He doesn’t quite have the same speed as Altuve, but he does have 11 steals on the season. Not too many people’s surprise, Correa currently ranks as the top shortstop in baseball.
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41st Overall Player – Dallas Keuchel
This surprised me, Keuchel could easily win the AL Cy Young Award this season, but he is the 41st overall player. After all he has done this year, the bearded one is still not getting the love. His pitching line from this season is impressive, 2.29 ERA/ 17-6/ 185 strikeouts/ 0.99 WHIP. Where does he rank among all starting pitchers, he is the tenth overall SP in the game?
100th Overall Player – Carlos Gomez
The Astros acquired a player at the trade deadline which was a top-30 player before the season, he has struggled a little this season, especially after the trade to the Astros. While he has heated up recently, he still is not producing like he’s done in the past. This season, Gomez has a .255/ 11 HR/ 54 RBI/ 14 SB. Gomez is under contract for 2016, so the Astros could have the real Gomez next year. Where does he rank right now? He is currently #30 on the outfield list.
Next: Top 101-200 Fantasy Players
Top 101-200 Fantasy Players
Sep 9, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Collin McHugh (31) pitches the ball against the Oakland Athletics during the first inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
126th Overall Player – Scott Kazmir
Another trade deadline acquisition for the Astros, Kazmir has struggled in his recent starts. On the season, he has a 2.63 ERA/ 7-10/ 145 strikeouts/ 1.14 WHIP. While his numbers overall are not bad, besides his first two starts with the Astros, the others have been average or below. Kazmir ranks as the 33rd overall pitcher.
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- Houston Astros: A Lineup Change to Spark Offense
- Astros prospect Hunter Brown throws 6 shutout innings in debut
- Always faithful Astros World Series champion Josh Reddick defends the title
- Michael Conforto declines Astros’ 2-year, $30 million offer
128th Overall Player – Collin McHugh
After a rocky start to the season, McHugh has settled down to become the third best Astros pitcher that he should be. McHugh like most of the Astros pitchers has time left with team control. Look for the Astros to extend Keuchel first, but I would be surprised if they didn’t do the same with McHugh. McHugh’s stats for the season, 3.89 ERA/ 16-7/ 147 strikeouts/ 1.27 WHIP. McHugh ranks right behind Kazmir as the 34th overall pitcher.
144th Overall Player – Luke Gregerson
Gregerson has been a big influence in the bullpen this year, even though he has not been perfect, he’s been a leader in the pen. He has 26 saves with a 3.04 ERA and 0.99 WHIP. He is signed for the next two seasons; he should continue to close games for the Astros until someone better appears. He ranks as the 20th best closer, but that is due to the number of blowout wins by the Astros affecting saves.
162nd Overall Player – Mike Fiers
Another Astros acquisition at the trade deadline, Fiers had a rocky first appearance out of the bullpen in the game that Lance McCullers exited in the first inning. Since then, he has been pretty effective on the mound, including throwing a no-hitter. His stats on the season are 3.66 ERA/ 7-10/ 156 strikeouts/ 1.30 WHIP. He ranks as the 44th starting pitcher.
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- Always faithful Astros World Series champion Josh Reddick defends the title
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163rd Overall Player – Evan Gattis
The catcher turned designated hitter has been streaky at times, but he still leads the team in homers and RBI’s with 23/75 respectively. However, his batting average and on-base percentage with .238/.278 respectively. He ranks as the fifth best catcher despite him not taking a pitch behind the plate this season.
181th Overall Player – George Springer
This is a ranking I can’t agree on, but missing the time with the broken wrist could be affecting his ranking here. His play down the stretch could change things, but his stats this year aren’t terrible: .256 Avg/ 13 HR/ 29 RBI/ 14 steals. He ranks as the 53rd outfielder, but the offseason rankings should be better.