Astros in Fantasy: Fantasy Picks of the Week- Week 11

Week 11 Hitter:

Jun 7, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Houston Astros center fielder Carlos Gomez (30) falls to the ground after swinging and missing on a pitch by Texas Rangers relief pitcher Sam Dyson (not pictured) during the ninth inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Rangers defeat the Astros 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Carlos Gomez (Owned in 59.9% of ESPN Fantasy Leagues)

To say that Gomez has been dreadful at the plate is an understatement. In his 44 games this season, he has a .181 batting average with a .545 OPS. He also has hit three home runs, six RBIs, and 12 runs scored.

Gomez has always been a free-swinging hitter. Known for his theatrics at the plate with his helmet flying off and frequent bat flips on any fly ball, he generally averaging a strikeout percentage in the mid-20s and a walk percentage hovering between five and seven percent.

His walk rate has stayed the same at seven percent through 44 games. The strikeouts, however, have skyrocketed. Gomez has 62 strikeouts in 155 at-bats, adding up to a 36.3% strikeout percentage.

With all the negatives in his game, some positives have been showing up in his game lately that fantasy owners should keep their eye on. First is his power. After finishing the first two months of the season with no home runs and eight doubles, Gomez has hit three home runs in his last seven games, driving in four runners in June. Yes, his batting average for June is still at a horrible .161, but when he gets hits, they go for extra bases, shown by his .484 slugging percentage in June.

With power coming back into his game, this next week for Gomez could be the turnaround he is looking for. He could do that against some familiar faces. The next five games for the Astros are against teams from Gomez’s former division, the National League Central.

Gomez has been successful against the Cardinals for his career. In 138 at-bats, Gomez has a .283 average and .734 OPS against the Cardinals with two home runs and 12 RBIs.

Gomez also has success against the pitcher the Astros are going to face Wednesday, former Cy Young Award winner Adam Wainwright. In 26 at-bats, Gomez has a .346 average and .931 OPS against Wainwright with three extra-base hits, including a home run, and three RBIs.

Gomez does not have a lot of positives as fantasy owners look at his stat line. However, as he goes back to roam center field in two familiar ballparks in St. Louis and Houston against a last place Reds team, fantasy owners should give him one last chance this week.

Next: Week 11 Pitcher