Jake Meyers

Meyers was the Opening Day center fielder for the Astros last year and totaled 341 plate appearances during the regular season, chipping in 10 home runs and five stolen bases. He was dropped from the roster for the ALCS as the team welcomed veteran Michael Brantley back from injury, but Meyers is expected to get another chance as the primary center fielder for Houston to begin 2024. While he is not a high-OBP player, Meyers did well to trim his strikeout rate down to a more acceptable level last season (25.8 K%). His defense will buy his bat more time, though the clock is ticking for the 27-year-old. Meyers ranked in the 92nd percentile in terms of sprint speed last season, per Statcast, so there may be some hidden upside in the stolen base department. That said, if the bat doesn't improve, Meyers could shift into a reserve role for a team with World Series aspirations.

Meyers was a late entrant into the Astros center field sweepstakes as he was sidelined until late June following surgery on his left shoulder. He never could get things going and was sent to Triple-A Sugar Land in late August after posting a .557 OPS in 149 plate appearances over 46 games. Meyers was recalled for the final week where he was 5-for-11 with no walks and no extra base hits. Meyers line drive and groundball tendencies support an above average BABIP, but his power is limited and he his strikeout rate in his two seasons in the majors is north of 30%. Even so, Meyers should be in contention for a roster spot, if not a starting role. However, he needs to exhibit more contact before he's a fantasy asset, especially in mixed leagues.