Things will be much different behind the plate for the Houston Astros this season as Yainer Diaz is taking over for long-time catcher Martin Maldonado.
There are questions about how the youngster can replace the veteran.
Maldonado was elite at communication with every pitcher on the roster, controlling the game with pace and his calls, while also being a very solid defender.
The one thing he couldn't do was hit.
For now, that seems like Diaz's specialty.
In his rookie campaign last year, the 25-year-old slashed .282/.308/.538 with 23 home runs, 55 extra-base hits, 60 RBI and an OPS+ of 128 across 104 games.
He'll fully get the opportunity to showcase his true potential this season as the Astros' starting catcher.
That's why Tim Kelly of Bleacher Report has Diaz listed as an underrated player who is primed to explode in 2024.
"That type of output [in 2023] would be elite at any position, but that's especially the case at catcher, where there are so few difference-makers at the plate ... his offensive profile will make him a perennial All-Star candidate if he can consistently catch," he writes.
The last part is interesting.
Diaz profiles as an elite hitter at the Major League level for a long time, but whether that comes in the catcher role will be seen. He has experience at first base as well if things go south behind the plate, and he could always be used as the designated hitter.
Houston wants him to be their future catcher, though.
They know how hard it is to find the type of offensive player that Diaz is at that position.
Early reports indicate he could be just fine there defensively after recording four defensive runs saved across his 399 innings played in 2023.
Much of his overall success will be doing similar things to what Maldonado did as a communicator and pitch caller.
Hopefully he was able to pick up on a few tricks from the veteran last year.
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