The Two Players Battling For Role As Astros' Backup Catcher

Yainer Diaz and Korey Lee both have potential to be backup catcher for the Astros behind Martin Madlonado.

Martin Maldonado is firmly entrenched as the starting catcher for the Houston Astros.

What’s not set is the backup role.

Yainer Diaz, their No.3-ranked prospect by MLB Pipeline, and Korey Lee, the No. 7-ranked prospect, will continually compete through spring training.

Diaz was called up in September and appeared in six games, two at catcher, and Lee was called up in July and played in 12 games with seven starts.

Diaz slashed .294/.343/.587 over 48 games at Triple-A.

“I've improved in all my defense compared to last year,” Diaz told reporters. “My framing, my throwing, the transfers, and then especially just to be able to call pitches, be able to call the game to attack batters.”

In 104 games at Triple-A last year, Lee slashed .238/.307/.483 with 25 homer runs and 76 RBI. He threw out 17 runners stealing at Triple-A.

Lee said that he’s excited for this opportunity.

“Rather than like, coming up your first year and you're feeling like you're tiptoeing around (the clubhouse) and you don't really know what's going on. Now, I have it all figured out,” Lee told reporters. “I'm more comfortable with the guys around the locker room and I (know) what I need to do every single day, and I have a good routine about that.”

Maldonado has been completely supportive with the young backups, providing assistance on a daily basis.

“I’ll try to help them both,” Maldonado said. “I feel like they both are the future of this team and my job is to take those two guys under my wing and try to teach them and (give them) whatever they need to win, and communicate with them equally. I feel we are a unit, whoever makes the team.”

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