Houston Astros: Three Astros Fantasy Baseball Sleepers

Sleeper 1: Tyler White

For the past couple of years, the Astros have had trouble finding stability at the first base position. This season, they have found their answer, at least until A.J. Reed is ready, in Tyler White.

White is not your prototypical first baseman offensively. Unlike an average major league first baseman who may have tremendous power, but strikes out in the rest of his at-bats, White’s career batting average in the minors is at .311 with an OPS of .911.

His power does leave a bit to be desired at the first base position, though. Last year between AA Corpus Christi and AAA Fresno, White hit 14 home runs and only 25 doubles in 495 at-bats.

His on-base numbers make of for the lack of power. In his minor league career, White has never had an on-base percentage below .400 except for a 28 game stint with Single-A Tri-Cities in 2013.

With White coming into 2016 as the starting first baseman, the Astros are going to have a 2-hole caliber hitter batting from the 6 or 7 hole in the lineup. This actually gives fantasy owners an advantage. With his level of getting on base, White should drive in a lot of runners with George Springer, Carlos Correa, and Jose Altuve earlier in the lineup. White does have experience driving in runners with driving in 99 runners in 116 games last season.

Although there is a difference between minor league and major league pitching, fantasy owners not only should be impressed with White’s on-base ability, but how he has gotten better as he has moved up. After hitting .284 in 59 games with AA Corpus, White was called up and hit a staggering .362 in 52 games for AAA Fresno.

With the amount of offensive potential before him in this Astros lineup, White has a chance to be one of the best offensive performers in this lineup. He is definitely a low risk, high reward late pick or waiver wire pick up.

Next: Sleeper 2