Astros Opening Day Lineup if Jeremy Pena Jumps to the Major Leagues

Martin Maldonado, Catcher

Outside of a few pinch-hitting opportunities, Martin Maldonado batted eighth or ninth this past season and was decidedly better, though better is relative, in the nine-hole.

Maldonado batted only .093 in 43 at-bats as the eighth place hitter and .184 with 12 home runs in 326 at-bats from the nine-hole. Maldonado offers some pop, though he was atrocious with runners in scoring position and in late/close situations.