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Houston Astros: Grading the 25-Man Roster

By Eric Huysman

Tyler White cheering his teammates on. Photo by Tammy Tucker
Tyler White cheering his teammates on. Photo by Tammy Tucker /
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Grading Catcher and Designated Hitter

Mar 21, 2016; Melbourne, FL, USA; Houston Astros catcher Jason Castro (15) flies out in the sixth inning against the Washington Nationals at Space Coast Stadium. The Washington Nationals won 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 21, 2016; Melbourne, FL, USA; Houston Astros catcher Jason Castro (15) flies out in the sixth inning against the Washington Nationals at Space Coast Stadium. The Washington Nationals won 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports /

Catcher/Designated Hitter

Jason Castro

Erik Kratz

Preston Tucker

This seems to be the weak spot on the team entering the season, especially with the team leader in homers and runs batted in from the 2015 season, Evan Gattis, on the DL. Castro will be the starting catcher for the year, and he will play a lot if Kratz doesn’t perform well. The Astros traded Dan Straily to the Padres, who have since released him, for Kratz until Max Stassi is ready to return.

Until Gattis returns, Tucker will get the majority of the starts versus right-handed pitchers while Tyler White or Matt Duffy will get some turns at DH. Gattis could be a big factor for the 2016 season if he can revert back to a premium power bat that they traded for.

Fan Quote: “I love what Castro offer defensively, but he has been a zero offensively the last two years. Stassi is a JAG, who probably never holds a regular job. I think Luhnow will find a long-term solution sometime this year. My preference is for the DH to be a fluid position, so Hinch can cycle through positional regulars. Gattis HAS to DH, and wasn’t overwhelming in 2015.” @SteveinLC

Grade: (C)

Next: Grading The Infield

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