Chas McCormick

McCormick set a new personal high with 457 plate appearances. He could have topped 500, but McCormick was sidelined for about a month early on with a back strain. His underlying metrics didn't change from 2022, but a deeper look reveals McCormick's fly ball average exit velocity increased 1.5 mph, manifesting more power, along with a higher BABIP. Not only did McCormick exhibit more power, but he also took advantage of the new rules with 19 steals in 25 attempts. In his first 727 plate appearances, McCormick swiped only eight bags in 13 tries. After being a bit below average with the glove the prior season, McCormick rebounded with an above average defensive campaign. The only yellow flag in McCormick's numbers is he has outperformed his expected batting average throughout his career. This could be due to Minute Maid Park, it could be something he does that isn't captured, but it can also be good fortune, so factor in some batting average regression. Even so, McCormick was one pilfer from a 20/20 campaign, and he has a great chance of joining the club this year.

McCormick began 2022 as the strong side of a platoon in center field and had a .676 OPS through the first three months of the campaign, but he came alive during the second half of the season with a .271/.356/.416 slash line, and he carried that success into the first half of the playoffs while working as the Astros' primary center fielder. He finished the season with a 114 wRC+ improved his strikeout and walk rates to 26.0 percent and 11.3 percent respectively, though the strikeout rate could use another improvement. Kyle Tucker is cemented in right field while Yordan Alvarez should split time between left field and designated hitter, so there's plenty of at-bats up for grabs in Houston's outfield. The strong second half and playoff performance should give McCormick a leg up for a starting job to enter spring training. He could be a fantasy asset if able to build on that performance, though he shouldn't be counted on as more than a sleeper or depth option.

McCormick made his MLB debut in 2021, seeing only sporadic playing time for the first half of the season while serving as the fourth outfielder in Houston. He showed promise in that span, racking up 10 home runs across 162 plate appearances. However, things went downhill after he took over an everyday role in the aftermath of Myles Straw being traded. While progressing through the minor leagues, McCormick's primary skills were making contact, reaching base regularly and stealing bases. Contrarily, in his first taste of the major leagues, he struck out at a 32.5% clip and attempted only six stolen bases across a total of 320 plate appearances. After a hot start as a power hitter (.264 ISO in first half), he managed only nine extra-base hits across 144 second-half plate appearances. Looking ahead, McCormick's strong defense should continue to earn him playing time, though he'll have to make significant improvements to make an impact in most fantasy formats.

McCormick was a 21st round pick in the 2017 MLB Draft and has steadily progressed through the Astros' minor-league system since. That culminated with his inclusion on both the wild card and ALDS rosters, though he didn't enter a game. While McCormick flashed a bit of power at hitter-friendly Triple-A Round Rock in 2019, he had failed to at any other time in his minor-league career. Instead, his speed is his primary asset - both as a corner outfielder and baserunner. Since reaching Double-A in 2018, McCormick has successfully stolen 28 bases on 36 attempts. McCormick should project to earn some playing time in the Astros' outfield in 2021 - particularly if George Springer and Josh Reddick depart. His long-term fit remains in question however, as he fits best defensively as a corner outfielder, though it's doubtful that he consistently produces enough power to command regular playing time at the position.