Zach Dezenzo DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Houston Astros infielder Zach Dezenzo has made the team's Opening Day roster, according to manager Joe Espada. Houston's fifth-ranked prospect made his major league debut for the club last season, slashing .242/.277/.371 with a pair of home runs in 65 plate appearances, even making the postseason roster, although the Astros will want to see improvement on the 33.8 percent strikeout he owned during his short stint. The 6-foot-5 slugger performed better this spring, slashing .391/.440/.630 with two home runs and a stolen base in 50 plate appearances with a 28.0 percent strikeout rate. The 24-year-old earns a bench spot for the big league club, with first baseman Christian Walker and third baseman Isaac Paredes blocking his path to playing time at his primary positions. There is potential for big power numbers if he were to get an opportunity for regular at-bats, but without a full-time role, his fantasy relevance is limited to extremely deep and AL-only leagues.

Houston Astros infielder Zach Dezenzo (jaw) is back in the team's Grapefruit League lineup on Thursday against the Miami Marlins, playing right field and batting cleanup. Dezenzo suffered a TMJ sprain in his jaw when he was hit in the face by a ground ball on Tuesday. The 24-year-old was cleared to play on Thursday after he avoided a concussion. He will now resume competing for one of the team's final roster spots out of camp as a bench player after playing in his first 19 major-league games in 2024. In 65 plate appearances, Dezenzo went 15-for-62 (.242) with two home runs, eight RBI and five runs scored. He's been better in spring training, going 14-for-37 (.378) with two homers, six RBI, a steal and seven runs scored in 15 Grapefruit League contests. Dezenzo is still developing as a hitter and won't carry much value in fantasy as a bench player if he makes the Opening Day roster.

Houston Astros manager Joe Espada said on Wednesday that infielder Zach Dezenzo (jaw) is expected to play in the team's Grapefruit League game on Thursday versus the Miami Marlins. Dezenzo is being seen by team doctors to make sure he doesn't have a concussion, but the 24-year-old appears to be fine after he was hit in the head by a ground ball in camp on Tuesday. He was officially diagnosed with a TMJ sprain on the left side of his jaw. The former 12th-round selection in 2022 out of Ohio State is currently hitting .378 (14-for-37) with two home runs, three doubles, six RBI, one steal and seven runs scored in 15 spring training games as he competes for a bench spot to begin the 2025 season. Dezenzo was a below-average hitter in his first 19 big-league games a year ago and probably would benefit from more time in the minors to begin the season.