Astros in Fantasy: Fantasy Players of the Week- Week 17

A Look at Fantasy Baseball Through the Lens’ of an Astros Fan

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Here is how I did in Week 16:

Week 16 Hitter:

Carlos Correa– 9/21 H/AB, 3 R, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 2 SB, .429 BA

Correa is now becoming that consistent fantasy hitter that owners wanted him to be from the start of the 2016 season. With a dreadful month of May behind him, Correa is now becoming the run producer in the four-hole.

This week proved no exception. In six games against division rivals that are currently in the cellar of the AL West, Correa took advantage, recording nine hits in 21 at bats, including five extra-base hits, and drove in seven runners. He also showed that he could continue the offense while on the bases, swiping two bags, bringing him to 10 in 2016.

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As a whole, Correa seems to be finding his groove from the cleanup spot. With an OPS .262 points higher batting fourth, Correa is taking advantage of run-scoring spots in which he is getting more extra base hits and driving in more runners, proving himself as a valuable fantasy asset.

As he approaches his 99 game total from last season, all of his numbers, including batting average and OPS are lower. However, with Correa five games away from that 99 game total, Correa is just four extra-base hits off his pace from last season and four RBIs off from last season. Especially with his horrible month of May, Correa has found a way to turn it around.

Leading a probable playoff bound team in RBI’s; Correa is only going to get better as the stakes get higher. Even though he may not have the home run total from last season, he is still finding ways to score runners. As fantasy owners look to the playoffs, Correa could be the piece that brings you to the championship.

Week 16 Pitcher:

Dallas Keuchel– 6.1 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 6 K, 0 W, 2.84 ERA, 1.26 WHIP

Cy Keuchel is back. At least for the month of July.

In his three starts this month, Keuchel is 1-0 with a 2.33 ERA and a 1.03 WHIP. He also has struck out 17 in his 19.1 innings pitched.

His last start proved no exception. Keuchel landed a no-decision in his 6.1 innings of two run ball last Tuesday against the Oakland A’s. He only gave up five hits and struck out six in the eventual 4-3 win by the A’s.

More from Climbing Tal's Hill

• Just how much better is the Houston Astros playoff rotation than the rest?
• 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

Keuchel, it looks like, is back to his 2014 and 2015 self. In his last six starts, he has given up three earned runs or less and has recorded three wins. His batting average against has decreased from .280 on June 12th to .268 after his last start.

He has done this without striking as many batters out. With a strikeout average down from last year to 7.8 per nine innings, Keuchel has struck out 29 batters in his last 38.2 innings pitched.

With a wonderful month of July, Keuchel has earned a spot back into the pitching rotation of once skeptical fantasy owners. The Astros are going to need him to step it up as the playoff hunt continues. Look for Keuchel to continue to pitch to his strengths and giving fantasy owners good starts.

Keuchel will look to continue with that success Monday night against the New York Yankees.

Next: Now on to Week 17.

Week 17 Hitter:

Jose Altuve (Owned in 99.2% of ESPN Fantasy leagues)

At this point in the regular season, why would a fantasy owner choose any other batter in the Astros lineup?

In only 98 games this season, Altuve has already eclipsed his career high in home runs, with 17, and walks, with 44. He leads the American League in batting average, with a .360 average, stolen bases, with 25, hits, with 139, and on base percentage, with a.428 OBP. His OPS is at a staggering 1.003. Altuve has hit himself into MVP consideration.

More from Climbing Tal's Hill

• Just how much better is the Houston Astros playoff rotation than the rest?
• 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

Now with the call up of shortstop prospect Alex Bregman, Altuve may have the opportunity to drive in more runs. Marwin Gonzalez has done a nice job in the two-hole for the Astros, but with the way Bregman is hitting at the Triple-A level, he will provide more opportunities for Altuve to drive in more runners. He is already at 60 RBIs this season, six away from his career high set last season.

With George Springer leading off, and Bregman batting second, there are going to be ample opportunities for Altuve with runners in scoring position early on in the game. He already has a .341 average and a 1.047 OPS with runners in scoring position this season.

The fantastic part of the fantasy value of Altuve is that he is set for years. This young lineup is not going anywhere. For fantasy owners already looking forward to next season, the 5’6” second baseman may become your next first overall pick.

Next: Week 17 Pitcher