Last September, when the Houston Astros’ playoff hopes were hanging by a thread, an unexpected hero briefly emerged.
After Yordan Alvarez went down with a sprained ankle, Houston suddenly found itself without its most dangerous left-handed bat. With limited options available, the club turned to an unheralded prospect — Zach Cole.
What followed was a surprising spark.
Over the final two weeks of the season, Cole stepped into the lineup and delivered an impressive stretch of production. In just 15 games, the Ball State product slashed .255/.327/.553 while hitting four home runs and stealing three bases. The Astros ultimately fell short of their postseason goals, but Cole’s performance left a strong impression.
That late-season surge seemed to position him perfectly for a larger role in 2026.
A Clear Path That Hasn’t Been Taken
Entering spring training, Houston still had unresolved questions in the outfield.
The Astros had not added another proven left-handed hitter during the offseason, leaving both corner outfield positions open for competition. On paper, that situation appeared to favor Cole, who had already shown flashes of impact power during his brief major league stint.
But as spring training has unfolded, the opportunity hasn’t translated into results.
Cole opened camp with encouraging signs. His bat consistently produced impressive exit velocities, sending several hard-hit balls off the bat. The problem, however, was that those rockets weren’t turning into hits.
Without tangible production, the door remained open for other players to take control of the competition.
Rivals Are Starting to Pull Ahead
Two of Cole’s main competitors — Joey Loperfido and Cam Smith — also struggled early in camp.
At first, none of the candidates separated themselves from the pack, allowing Cole to remain firmly in the race despite his lack of offensive output. But as Opening Day approaches, that dynamic has begun to change.
Loperfido has started to heat up at the plate, posting a .259/.355/.407 slash line across 11 games. Smith, meanwhile, has been even more productive, hitting .320/.414/.600 over 10 games.
Those performances are making Houston’s roster decisions clearer.
Cole, by contrast, is still searching for consistent results.
Through 10 spring appearances and 29 plate appearances, he has slashed just .136/.310/.273. He has managed one home run, four stolen bases, and a respectable 17.2% walk rate, but the overall production simply hasn’t kept pace with his competition.
The Strikeout Problem Remains
Unfortunately for Cole, the biggest obstacle he faces is the same one that has followed him throughout his professional career.
While his athletic tools and raw power are undeniable, his swing has long contained holes that lead to high strikeout totals.
This spring has been no different. Cole is striking out in 34.5% of his plate appearances — a number that mirrors the challenges he faced last season. Between Double-A Corpus Christi and Triple-A Sugar Land in 2025, he posted a 35.5% strikeout rate.
Even during his brief major league debut, that issue persisted, with his strikeout rate climbing to 38.5%.
For a player with Cole’s profile, those swing-and-miss numbers create a difficult balance. When he does connect, the ball often jumps off his bat. But when contact is inconsistent, the overall production becomes unpredictable.
A Decision Looming for Houston
The Astros are entering the season with championship aspirations, meaning roster decisions will ultimately prioritize reliability.
Cam Smith’s ceiling as a hitter may already be higher than either of the left-handed options competing for the job. Meanwhile, if Loperfido continues producing at the plate, his left-handed bat alone could eliminate Cole’s main advantage in the competition.
That leaves Houston with a difficult question.
Should they carry Cole on the Opening Day roster as a bench option, hoping his power emerges in key moments? Or would it be more beneficial to send him back to Triple-A Sugar Land, where he could work on his approach while receiving regular at-bats?
For now, the answer remains uncertain.
But one thing is clear: the window that once looked wide open for Zach Cole is closing quickly. If he wants to change the narrative before Opening Day, the turnaround needs to start immediately.
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