The Astros Still Need To Add Behind The Plate

The Astros have been related to varied catchers this offseason. That they had reported curiosity in free brokers Willson Contreras, Christian Vázquez and Tucker Barnhart and in addition contacted the A’s to discover a commerce of Sean Murphy. Nonetheless, they missed on all of these targets, as these free brokers have since discovered new groups and Murphy was dealt to the Braves.

Issues have been pretty quiet for some time now, as their curiosity in Barnhart was reported again on December 7 and little point out of their plans behind the plate since. It will stand to purpose that they nonetheless should be looking out for upgrades, nevertheless, as their present catching corps is noticeably weaker than final 12 months.

In 2022, the Astros started the season with Jason Castro because the backup to Martín Maldonado. Castro bought into 34 video games by the top of June however hit the injured record in early July with knee discomfort. He would later require season-ending surgical procedure after which introduced his retirement in December. The Astros acquired Vázquez on the deadline to assist them down the stretch, although he reached free company at season’s finish and has since signed with the Twins.

With Castro and Vázquez out of the image, that leaves Maldonado because the clear prime possibility on the depth chart. He’s now 36 years outdated, turning 37 in August, and simply underwent sports hernia surgery in November. He’s anticipated to be prepared for Spring Coaching, however there’s clearly danger with a membership’s major catcher being on the older aspect. Although Maldonado is properly considered a game-caller and chief of a pitching workers, he doesn’t rank very properly in goal statistical measures. He’s been a below-average hitter in every season of his profession other than the shortened 2020 marketing campaign, resulting in an general batting line of .209/.285/.349. That manufacturing has been about 28% beneath league common, together with his wRC+ coming in at 72. Nonetheless, the Astros appear to be completely comfy dwelling with that tepid offense so as to get Maldonado’s different qualities within the dugout and clubhouse.

In July, there was a one-month interval the place Castro was out and Vázquez had not but been acquired. In that window, the membership promoted prospect Korey Lee. Going into 2022, Lee was thought of the membership’s prime prospect, with shortstop Jeremy Peña coming in second. That top rating got here on the heels of a powerful 2021 that noticed Lee go from Excessive-A to Double-A to Triple-A in his age-22 season.

Sadly, 2022 didn’t go as clean for Lee. He bought into 12 MLB video games within the month of July however hit simply .160/.192/.240. That’s a tiny pattern and he was nonetheless fairly younger, turning 24 years outdated that month. He spent many of the 12 months in Triple-A, the place he did hit 25 dwelling runs, however within the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League. His .238/.307/.483 batting line was really 10% beneath league common in that surroundings, together with his wRC+ ending at 90. Maybe most regarding is that he struck out in 28.5% of his plate appearances, an enormous soar from his earlier stops within the minors. Baseball America dropped him to #6 on their most up-to-date record of Houston prospects. It’s nonetheless attainable that he’s the membership’s catcher of the long run, as he gained’t flip 25 till July, however he may nonetheless want a bit extra time within the minors to proceed creating.

The one different catcher on the membership’s 40-man roster is Yainer Díaz, who’s 2022 was primarily the inverse of Lee’s. Díaz went from being thought of by BA to be the membership’s #16 prospect at the start of the 12 months to #2 by midseason. With a bat-first status, Díaz put that on show final 12 months. Starting 2022 in Double-A, he hit .316/.367/.504 for a wRC+ of 121 in 57 video games and bought promoted to Triple-A. At that new stage, he hit .294/.342/.587 in 48 video games for one more wRC+ of 121. He was capable of make his main league debut late within the 12 months however didn’t hit a lot in simply six video games. That offensive manufacturing is actually encouraging, however his protection isn’t as extremely rated. He spent some vital time at first base and within the outfield corners so as to get his bat into the lineup final 12 months. It’s debatable that he doesn’t want far more time within the minors from an offensive perspective, however he’s additionally solely performed 48 Triple-A video games. Since he’s nonetheless simply 24 and his protection is a piece in progress, extra time within the minors wouldn’t be a ridiculous proposition both.

The Astros confirmed final 12 months that they’re not afraid to depend on a younger and unproven participant on Opening Day. Going into 2022, they changed Carlos Correa with Jeremy Peña, who had no main league expertise but. That was actually dangerous, but it surely labored out for the membership, with Peña having an excellent season and ultimately profitable World Collection MVP. Nonetheless, that sort of rookie breakout isn’t one thing that may merely be relied upon. Because it at the moment stands, the membership has a 36-year-old starter who doesn’t hit a lot and is coming off surgical procedure, adopted by two kids who every have tiny bits of MLB expertise and arguably nonetheless want common taking part in time within the minors.

The membership is unquestionably conscious that it must do one thing, primarily based on their curiosity in different backstops this winter. However many of the greatest choices are off the board now, which leaves the Astros Gary Sánchez, Roberto Pérez and Jorge Alfaro as some the highest names nonetheless accessible. These gamers every have their deserves however are thought of a tier beneath guys like Contreras, Vázquez or Murphy.

None of these gamers will seemingly require greater than a one-year deal, so it’s attainable that 2023 is form of a wait-and-see 12 months behind the plate in Houston. Maldonado can also be a free agent after the upcoming season, so maybe the membership can trip with him and one other veteran for the 12 months, with both Lee or Díaz hopefully taking on and securing the job for 2024. The Astros nonetheless have a really sturdy roster, as they’re the defending champions and have added José Abreu to interchange Yuli Gurriel of their thunderous lineup. Justin Verlander has departed for the Mets however the rotation ought to nonetheless be in fine condition with out him. Regardless of the membership’s strengths, their division seems to be far more difficult than it did a 12 months in the past, because the Mariners had a breakout 12 months in 2022 whereas the Angels and Rangers have every been very energetic in upgrading their rosters this offseason. For the Astros, the catching corps stands out because the one weak spot on their roster and may nonetheless be addressed earlier than they start their title protection.