Next up in our 2024 Fantasy Baseball Sleepers & Busts team series is the Houston Astros. Once again, the Astros are legitimate contenders heading into the new season. It is understandable, as they have stars like Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman, and Justin Verlander leading the charge. However, they also have some strong sleepers worth considering this season for fantasy baseball. As a result, let’s go over their top sleepers and biggest bust for the upcoming season.
Houston Astros Sleepers and Busts for 2024 Fantasy Baseball
Draft Day Steals
Yainer Diaz, C
Yainer Diaz had a very successful first full season in the majors in 2023. In 104 games, he had 23 home runs, 60 RBIs, and a .282 batting average. The 25-year-old lived up to the hype surrounding him, and now he’s set to take another major step forward in 2024. Now, with a year of experience, there’s no reason to doubt that he can improve his home run and RBI totals in 2024.
Diaz is also set to be the Astros’ definite starter behind the plate this season. This is because Martin Maldonado signed with the Chicago White Sox earlier this offseason. This is another big reason why Diaz is a clear breakout candidate for the Astros this season. Because of this, he’s a catcher to take a chance on this season in fantasy baseball.
Jeremy Pena, SS
Jeremy Pena is another Astros sleeper whom fantasy managers should consider this season. In 150 games last season with the Astros, he had 10 home runs, 52 RBIs, and a .263 batting average. Overall, it was a decent season for him, but his power numbers noticeably went down. As a rookie in 2022, he had 22 home runs, 63 RBIs, and a .253 batting.
As a result of this, Pena’s goal this season will be to be a bigger power threat again. When noting that he is only entering his third season, it certainly is fair to believe that he can heat back up. What’s also encouraging is that he hit better for contact last season, as he had a .263 batting average. Due to all of this, he’s an Astros sleeper to take a chance on once the big-name shortstops are off the board.
Draft Day Bust
Jose Abreu, 1B
One Astros player who has the potential to be a bust this season is Jose Abreu. After a strong nine-year stint with the Chicago White Sox, he struggled mightily in his first season with the Astros. In 141 games, he had 18 home runs, 90 RBIs, and a career-worst .237 batting average. While he certainly could have a bounce-back campaign, he has some major red flags this season.
It is hard to ignore Abreu’s batting average dropping off so much. While he has had an excellent career, fantasy managers need to carefully consider adding him this season. If he bounces back, he will be a big-time addition. However, if last season’s production at the plate proves to be the new norm for him, he will be a notable bust.
Nevertheless, the Astros have some interesting players to pay close attention to this season. Diaz and Pena are two young players ready to take another step forward, while Abreu’s goal will be to show the league that last season was a fluke.
For more of the great fantasy baseball rankings and analysis you’ve come to expect from FantraxHQ, check out our full 2024 Fantasy Baseball Draft Kit! We’re here for you all the way up until Opening Day and then on into your championship run.