Houston Astros: Three Astros Fantasy Baseball Sleepers

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Mar 11, 2016; Kissimmee, FL, USA; Houston Astros left fielder Colby Rasmus (28) gets a high five from teammate George Springer (4) after he hit a home run in the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the Detroit Tigers at Osceola County Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

There are many reasons why it’s great that baseball season is near. For us Houstonians, it’s even sweeter that the Houston Astros are coming into the season with expectations to win. However, for some baseball fans, there is another championship that they have in their sights. Although it may not be as popular at its football counterpart, fantasy baseball is the game for any statistics junkie or avid baseball fans.

Unlike other years, there are many Astros that are projected to go in the first five rounds of the draft. As leagues are forming and draft preparation begins, here are a couple of Astros that are good sleeper picks to draft in the late rounds that may give your team the advantage come October.

Next: Sleeper 1

Sleeper 1: Tyler White

Mar 12, 2016; Jupiter, FL, USA; Houston Astros third baseman Tyler White (84) connects for a base hit against the St. Louis Cardinals during the game at Roger Dean Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Astros 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports /

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

Sleeper 2: Colby Rasmus

Oct 12, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros left fielder Colby Rasmus (28) singles against the Kansas City Royals during the first inning in game four of the ALDS at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /

The Astros struck gold last offseason when they signed outfielder Colby Rasmus to a one-year $8 million contract. In return, Rasmus gave the Astros one of the best, and one of the most underrated, free agent pickups of 2015 that could help fantasy owners in 2016.

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Always a potential power threat, the left-handed Rasmus took advantage of a hitter-friendly Minute Maid Park and hit a career-high 25 home runs. He also drove in 61 runners and had an OPS of .789 which are his highest since 2013.

So why should fantasy gurus take a chance on Rasmus in the late rounds? If healthy, Rasmus is a definite power threat in the middle of any lineup and proves to be even more valuable with the talent around him and his home ballpark. According to Baseball Reference, if Rasmus were to play 162 games, he would average 25 home runs and 71 RBIs.

However, Rasmus struggles with what every power hitter in this game struggles with, strikeouts, batting average, and getting on base. Last season, Rasmus struck out a career-high 154 times and produced a .238 batting average and an on-base percentage on .314.

What should fantasy owners expect out of Rasmus in 2016? The same. A home run total in the 20’s and a batting average hovering below .250. What should grow with the talented offense around him is his RBI totals. Similar to White, Rasmus should have plenty of opportunities with runners in scoring position.

If Rasmus were to cut down on the strikeouts and get on base a bit more, he would be the steal of the draft in 2016.

Next: Sleeper 3

Sleeper 3: Collin McHugh

Mar 5, 2016; Kissimmee, FL, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Collin McHugh (31) throws a pitch during the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the New York Mets at Osceola County Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

One of the best stories in the Astros system, right-handed pitcher Collin McHugh has pitched his way not only to the second spot in the Astros starting rotation behind Dallas Keuchel, but into one of the most underrated pitchers in not only the American League but in baseball.

After two seasons in obscurity to start his career, McHugh was selected off of waivers by the Astros before the 2014 season. When Astros first-year pitching coach Brent Strom got a hold of him, the rest is history.

In his two seasons in Houston, McHugh is 30-16 with a 3.39 ERA and 1.167 WHIP. He also strikes out 8.2 batters and gives up 0.8 home runs per nine innings.

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With the numbers he has put up in Houston, why is McHugh so low on ESPN’s fantasy draft rankings? Part of it is his ERA in 2015 and his projected ERA for 2016. An ERA that hovers in the 3.80 range is not really exciting for fantasy owners. However, the reason why his ERA is so high is because of outlier games. For example, McHugh had two games last season where he gave up a combined 15 earned runs in 7.2 innings pitched against the Giants and the Mariners respectively.

Every pitcher struggles at some point during the long and strenuous season. Also, after those starts, McHugh won both of his next starts giving up a total of 5 earned runs in 13.1 innings pitched. This may not be the best stats fantasy owners have ever seen, but it shows how he can bounce back after struggling the start before.

Next: Houston Astros: Three Bright Spots Who Won't Make The Team (Hitters)

With an offense that will provide runs for any pitcher, the former top 5 finisher in AL Rookie of the Year and top 10 finishers in AL Cy Young has the potential to have another 15 plus win season with solid strikeout numbers. With how underrated he is in fantasy drafts and how his production stacks up against the American League, McHugh is a steal.

***Stats from astros.com***

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Houston Astros: Three Astros Fantasy Baseball Sleepers

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