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Houston Astros: Who will backup Jason Castro?

By Colin Gay

Mar 5, 2016; Kissimmee, FL, USA; Houston Astros catcher Max Stassi (12) and relief pitcher Pat Neshek (37) talk at the mound during the third inning of a spring training baseball game at Osceola County Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 5, 2016; Kissimmee, FL, USA; Houston Astros catcher Max Stassi (12) and relief pitcher Pat Neshek (37) talk at the mound during the third inning of a spring training baseball game at Osceola County Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tyler Heineman - photo by Tammy Tucker
Tyler Heineman – photo by Tammy Tucker /

Option 2: Tyler Heineman

The Astros drafted Tyler Heineman in the eighth round of the 2012 draft and immediately made an offensive statement. In his first full year in the organization with Single-A Lancaster, Heineman hit .286 with 13 home runs with 71 RBIs and an OPS of .837. Heineman is not your prototypical catcher offensively. He has only hit four home runs in his two seasons split between Double-A Corpus Christi and Triple-A Fresno.

However, his career batting average in the minors sits at .288 and seems to hit the gaps well, with 32 doubles in his last two seasons. He hasn’t had many opportunities to prove himself in Spring Training, going 0-6 in 4 games so far. When he develops, Heineman seems like a slap hitter that would hit well either at the top of the lineup in the one or two spot or late in the lineup to set the table for the big bats coming up. It may not be this year, but when Heineman makes the majors, he will be a table setter for this potent offense.

Next: Option 3: Roberto Pena

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