The new year is looming around the corner, and with 2010 comes the knowledge that Spring Training will begin in just a couple short months.
After looking in detail at everything from Houston’s starting rotation , to their bullpen , to the team’s starters in both the infield and the outfield , it’s now time to take a closer look at the Astros' probable catchers for next season.
With a pair of young guys that have proved they can handle the battery-mate job in the majors, Houston is hoping the duo can make a splash for the Astros in 2010.
Houston Astros 2010 Probable Catchers
As far as the pitchers' battery-mates are concerned, the Astros enter Spring Training with just two key catchers, both of whom will likely make the final cut, along with an up-and-comer who will likely be making his debut at Triple-A Round Rock next season.
J.R. Towles
Towles spent most of 2009 with the Triple-A team, but in 16 games and 48 at-bats last season, the young catcher had nine hits and two home runs with a .188 batting average.
Going into last season, Houston had high hopes of Towles becoming the starting catcher after Brad Ausmus left for Los Angeles. But after a dismal spring training, Towles was sent to Triple-A to begin 2009 and improve his skills both offensively and behind the plate. Last year at Round Rock, Towles batted .276 with 22 RBI and four home runs.
Humberto Quintero
Quintero served a major role last year for the Astros, serving as the primary backup catcher last season. In ‘09, Q played in 60 games for Houston (going to bat 157 times), posting a .236 batting average while smoking four homers.
Last season for the Triple-A Express, Q played in just four games with one double and one RBI. However, he did a remarkable job last year as the Astros' primary backup catcher, turning six double plays, holding down a .987 fielding percentage, and throwing out 46 percent of the runners caught stealing.
Jason Castro
Though a complete long shot to make the MLB club and very likely headed to Round Rock as the Express' starting catcher, Castro has the potential to be a future star in the pros.
Last year, Castro batted .293 at Double-A Corpus Christi with 29 RBI and three home runs. As the Hooks' catcher, Castro held a .974 fielding percentage while throwing out 28 percent of the runners caught stealing. A 2008 first round draft pick of the Astros, Houston has high hopes for the future of this young and up-and-coming backstop.
The sixth preview of this seven-part series on the Astros' Grapefruit League is slated to be published on New Year’s Day. In part six, we’ll be looking at Houston’s probable bench for next season and how the Astros will aim to maximize their backup position players.
Houston Astros Seven-Part Series: Archives/Future Previews
1. Starting Pitching (published Dec. 22, 2009 )
2. Bullpen (published Dec. 24, 2009 )
3. Infield (published Dec. 26, 2009 )
4. Outfield (published Dec. 28, 2009 )
5. Catchers (published Dec. 30, 2009)
6. Bench (ETA: Jan. 1, 2010)
7. Coaching/Management (ETA: Jan. 3, 2010)
Denton Ramsey may be reached via email at denton.ramsey@gmail.com
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