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Astros: Is it time for Houston to replace Max Stassi

By Rob Fontenot

ST. PETERSBURG, FL - MARCH 31: Max Stassi #12 of the Houston Astros watches during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on March 31, 2019 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - MARCH 31: Max Stassi #12 of the Houston Astros watches during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on March 31, 2019 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images) /
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Max Stassi has only reached base twice this season in 18 at-bats, one hit and one walk. He does not have an RBI or scored a run for the Astros in 2019.

Back in February, A. J. Hinch said that they will have rotating catchers behind the plate during the season. Robinson Chirinos said he didn’t come to Houston to be a back-up catcher. And as of now, it is quite obvious, that he is the starting catcher for the Houston Astros.

If Stassi is eventually optioned to the Minor Leagues, who could be his potential replacement? Garrett Stubbs has a .278 average and Jamie Ritchie is hitting .357 for the Round Rock Express, Houston’s AAA affiliate. These numbers are better than Stassi’s, but after all, they are against Minor League pitchers.

Stubbs had a good spring for the Astros hitting three home runs in 23 at-bats and would be the front-runner to be called up to the big leagues.  Stassi had 44 plate appearances and did not homer, but he did have seven runs batted in.

Maybe the answer to the question to who could replace Stassi isn’t in the minor leagues. Maybe the answer could be a former Astro? Evan Gattis, who hit 25 homers and knocked in 78 runs for Houston in 2018, is still without a job. He is already adored by the fans and would be a familiar face in the locker room.

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I’m not sure how long it would take for the Houston Astros to make a change, and I don’t even know if they would be willing to do it at all, but one thing is for sure, Max Stassi is not having a good season at the plate. So, we will keep an eye on this situation and see if anything develops throughout the year.

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