Zach Dezenzo DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

According to Chandler Rome of The Athletic, Houston Astros prospects Brice Matthews, Zach Dezenzo, and Cam Smith will get opportunities at new positions during spring training. Matthews, who is primarily a shortstop, will see time at the keystone. Dezenzo, who has played primarily in the infield, will see starts at left and right field. In addition, Cam Smith will continue to see time at the hot corner and will also see a few opportunities in the outfield. Matthews spent most of the 2024 season at the Double-A level and earned a brief look at Triple-A late in the season. Dezenzo logged 19 games in Houston last season and held a .242/.277/.371 line with two doubles and two home runs. The Astros acquired Cam Smith from the Chicago Cubs in the Kyle Tucker trade earlier this offseason. Smith was drafted with the 14th overall pick in last year's draft and is viewed as the top prospect in the system. Dezenzo has the best chance to make the Opening Day roster out of camp, while Matthews will have to see more time at Triple-A to reach the big leagues.

According to Chandler Rome of The Athletic, Houston Astros outfield prospect Zach Dezenzo is expected to get "a lot of run at left field" during spring training. Dezenzo was given a brief 19-game MLB debut last summer and posted a .242/.277/.371 line with two doubles and two home runs. However, the team is opening the door for him to not only make the Opening Day roster but have a spot in the starting lineup. Dezenzo was very productive in his first taste of Triple-A earlier last summer as he posted an impressive .333/.425/.573 with eight doubles, five home runs, and a 15:25 BB:K rate. He brought in 20 RBI and swiped three bags. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his progress during spring training as he could have value in deeper redraft formats. If he were to win the starting role, Mauricio Dubon would likely shift to a bench role.

Houston Astros corner infield prospect Zach Dezenzo missed time in the beginning of the 2024 season due to a wrist injury but got back on the field in June, playing 22 games at Double-A and only 11 more at Triple-A before earning a promotion to the big leagues in August. The 24-year-old played in 19 games for the Astros, slashing .242/.277/.371 with a pair of home runs in 65 plate appearances. With the Astros having some holes to fill at both first base and third base in 2025, Dezenzo is getting extra reps in the Puerto Rican Winter League to get ready for next spring and is showing well so far. Through 14 games and 61 plate appearances, the former 12th-round draft pick is leading the circuit in batting average, which stands at .380. He hasn't yet hit a home run, but the right-handed hitter has collected three doubles and has walked more than he's struck out (8:7 BB:K). The youngster has some pop in his bat along with some speed, hitting 18 home runs and stealing 22 bags across two levels of the minors in 2023 (410 PA), so if Dezenzo can earn a roster spot come spring, he could be an intriguing fantasy option in 2025.

The Houston Astros optioned infield prospect Zach Dezenzo back to Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday to make room on the active roster for the return of All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker (shin) in his return from the 60-day injured list. Dezenzo, the club's No. 5 prospect per MLB Pipeline, will head back to the minors for more development after looking overmatched at the plate in his first 17 major-league contests. In 55 plate appearances, he went 11-for-52 (.212) with a homer, two doubles, six RBI, three walks and 18 strikeouts. The 24-year-old stands at 6-foot-5 and 220 pounds understandably is intriguing for his raw power and has the ability to hit 30-plus home runs over a full season. However, high strikeout rates in the minors as well mean he probably isn't going to be much of an average guy at the next level. Because of his size and lack of quickness, a move to third base eventually is expected.

Houston Astros first base prospect Zach Dezenzo is making another start at first base on Sunday afternoon. The 24-year-old has made three so far through his first four major league games. As a result, Jon Singleton will once again be sitting on the bench. Through his first taste of the big leagues, Dezenzo has posted a .313 AVG with a double and a home run. Since July 21, Singleton has held a modest .220 AVG with only two long balls and one double. Fantasy managers should continue to keep an eye on the Houston starting nine, as the Ohio State product could be overtaking starting duties in the Space City. Dezenzo is worth a look in DFS this afternoon as he will face Boston southpaw James Paxton who carries a high 4.42 ERA.