Astros in Fantasy: Fantasy Players of the Week- Week 21

2 of 3

Aug 20, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Houston Astros center fielder Teoscar Hernandez (35) scores on catcher Jason Castro (not pictured) rbi double in the second inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

Here is how I did in Week 20:

Week 20 Hitter:

Teoscar Hernandez– 5/17 H/AB, 6 R, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 0 SB, .294 BA

Hernandez had a solid week. However, his bat woke up when fantasy owners on ESPN could actually acquire him.

Playing in three of the four games in the series at Baltimore, Hernandez had four hits in 10 at bats and scored five times. In the August 19th game against the Orioles, Hernandez was an offensive monster. He had three hits in four at-bats with a home run, drove in three runs, and scored himself three more times.

His bat this weekend has been particularly valuable at the bottom of a lineup where they have struggled to produce all season long. One part of Hernandez’s week that goes unnoticed in the eyes of fantasy owners is his patience at the plate.

Hernandez walked four times in his last six games, including a three-walk performance on August 20th. This provided opportunities for the proven offensive guys at the top of the order to drive in runs. That is why Hernandez scored a run in all but one game this week in which he had an at-bat.

Hernandez could have a prominent role to play as a part of the Astros offense in 2017. If he continues to prove that in 2016 as he did this week, he will provide run scoring numbers for any offense in fantasy baseball.

Week 20 Pitcher:

Dallas Keuchel– 13 IP, 11 H, 8 ER, 2 BB, 14, K, 1 W, 5.54 ERA, 1.00 WHIP

For a pitcher that has been statistically better at home in 2016, Keuchel, in his two starts this week, was tremendous on the road, but awful in his start at home.

In his first start of the week, Keuchel was facing a team that was not very familiar with his stuff. Busch Stadium is also a very hitter’s friendly ball park, which was not a very good combination for Keuchel. In five innings against the Cardinals, Keuchel gave up six earned on six hits, including a home run, and a walk. Keuchel then pitched a gem in Baltimore on Sunday afternoon. In eight innings of work, he gave up two earned runs on five hits, including a home run, and a walk.

Two aspects of Keuchel’s week should bring a sigh of relief for his fantasy owners. First, in his two starts this week, Keuchel struck out 14 in his 13 innings of work. Also, his WHIP in those two starts is at 1.00 compared to his season WHIP of 1.28. This shows that Keuchel is becoming less and less hittable as the season goes on. This leads to the second aspect. From May to August, his ERA by each month has decreased tremendously. In his three starts in August, he has a 3.27 ERA with a 0.82 WHIP.

Keuchel may not be the pitcher he was last season. However, he could be a valuable starting pitcher as the fantasy season comes to a close.

Next: Now on to Week 21

Week 21 Hitter:

Yulieski Gurriel (Owned in 17.3% of ESPN Fantasy leagues)

Aug 21, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Houston Astros designated hitter Yulieski Gurriel (10) slides into third base in the fourth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /

From the moment he stepped into the batter’s box for the Astros at Camden Yards on Sunday afternoon, people knew that this was not just another rookie.

In his first game as a member of the Astros, Gurriel put up a veteran like stat line. In his three appearances, he had a hit and walked once. His first hit, a single, was rifled up the middle for a solid base hit.

However, Gurriel was forced to leave the game in the eighth inning because of tightness in his right hamstring. The injury, although not to be considered serious, may keep him out of the opener in Pittsburgh tonight.

Nonetheless, the 32-year-old Cuban sensation is in a prime spot to provide some offense for this team. In 925 games overseas, Gurriel hit .335 with a .997 career OPS. He also hit 250 home runs in his 15 seasons.

With Bregman having earned the hot corner spot with tremendous defensive play, Gurriel is primarily going to get playing time as the designated hitter for the rest of the 2016 season. Even if his role outside of 2017 Is unclear, Gurriel is a veteran hitter that will perform well at the major league level and for fantasy owners everywhere.

Next: Week 21 Pitcher

Week 21 Pitcher:

Ken Giles (Owned in 57.7% of ESPN Fantasy leagues)

Aug 21, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Houston Astros pitcher Ken Giles (53) congratulates catcher Evan Gattis (11) after beating the Baltimore Orioles 5-3 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /

With the Astros back in the middle of the AL Wild Card picture, their bullpen is going to have to be light out down the stretch. This week will be a good chance for right-hander Ken Giles to become acclimated with the closer’s role.

In his last three months, Giles has only given up five earned runs in his 27 innings of work. He also has had his strikeout pitch working, striking out 46 batters in those 27 innings of work.

In the month of August, Giles has converted both save opportunities including one Sunday afternoon against the Orioles. He now has three saves in six opportunities this season.

With the Astros coming into a stretch where seven of the 12 remaining series come against teams in the playoff hunt, the bullpen, especially Ken Giles, will have to be reliable and consistent.

Next: Astros AM: Gurriel Makes Debut, Moreland a Target?

With Giles likely to get more work with the Astros’ tough schedule ahead of them, fantasy owners should take a chance on a finally dominant piece of the Astros bullpen.

***Stats provided by Baseball Reference, MLB.com, and ESPN.com***

Home / Astros News