Astros Rookie Zach Cole Shines in Debut, Poised for Strong Finish After Alvarez Injury

Houston Astros rookie Zach Cole, recently promoted to the majors, has quickly made an impact, going 6-for-18 with two homers and seven RBI in his first five starts. With Yordan Alvarez sidelined again, the 24-year-old outfielder is expected to be a lineup fixture for the final week of the season. Despite not being a top prospect and carrying a high minor league strikeout rate (35%), Cole posted impressive numbers in Double-A and Triple-A this year, including 19 homers and 18 steals. He is projected to have a strong final week, facing a favorable schedule against below-average starters in Sacramento and Anaheim, making him a valuable fantasy pickup as of September 19, 2025.