With the season is over we will review each position in the minor league system during the 2024 season. This week we will start with catcher position.
TOP PERFORMERS
John Garcia
Garcia, the Astros 19th round pick in 2022, put together a really strong season in 2024. The 23-year-old had a breakout season hitting .293 with 21 doubles, 10 home runs, 9 stolen bases and a .852 OPS in 77 games in High-A. This level of offense at the catcher position is big. He proved that he is a legit prospect to watch next season. He also threw out 20% of base stealers in High-A.
2024 Stats: 77 G, .293 BA/.372 OBP/.480 SLG, 21 2B, 2 3B, 10 HR, 39 RBI, 9 SB, 143 wRC+
Cesar Salazar
Salazar put together a really strong year. He spent time with the big league club but while in Triple-A, the left-handed hitter batted .253 with 13 doubles, 8 home runs and 50 runs batted in over 78 games. That was good for a .788 OPS. In his limited time in Houston, he hit .320 over 12 games. Salazar figures to be a strong backup moving forward next year.
2024 Stats: 78 G, .253 BA/.378 OBP/.410 SLG, 13 2B, 2 3B, 8 HR, 50 RBI, 45 BB/45 SO
THE REST OF THE PACK
Will Bush
Bush had his first full season in 2024, after being drafted in 2023. He played the season at 20-years-old and in 88 games in Single-A, he hit .221 with 12 doubles, 8 home runs and 45 runs batted in. He finished the season strong though hitting .256 with 5 home runs, 15 runs batted in and a .862 OPS over the final 28 games.
2024 Stats: 91 G, .220 BA/.332 OBP/.355 SLG, 12 2B, 3B, 8 HR, 45 RBI, 5 SB
Jancel Villarroel
Villarroel is a young catcher who tore up rookie ball the last few years. This year in the FCL, he hit .284 with a .892 OPS in 22 games earning a promotion to Single-A. In 54 games for the Woodpeckers, the 19-year-old hit .233 with 9 doubles, 2 home runs, 28 runs batted in and 7 stolen bases. He threw out 10 of 47 base stealers.
2024 Stats: 76 G, .246 BA/.359 OBP/.362 SLG, 12 2B, 3 3B, 4 HR, 41 RBI, 11 SB
Garret Guillemette
Guillemette was the Astros 15th round pick in 2023. In his first full season he was assigned to High-A Asheville where he hit .212, but he did have 15 doubles and 10 home runs. In 98 games this year, he threw out 15% of base stealers.
2024 Stats: 98 G, .212 BA/.298 OBP/.345 SLG, 15 2B, 10 HR, 47 RBI, 4 SB
Collin Price
Price was the Astros 6th round pick in 2022. He started the year in High-A posting a .842 OPS before earning a promotion to Double-A where he hit .222 with 12 doubles and 10 home runs. Overall, he has a .718 OPS in 100 games in 2024.
2024 Stats: 100 G, .227 BA/.327 OBP/.391 SLG, 16 2B, 13 HR, 40 RBI, 7 SB
2025 OUTLOOK/CONCLUSION
The Astros found their catcher of the future last year in Yainer Diaz, and he has put together two really good years at the big league level. Depth at catcher is always important and Salazar has proven to be solid depth. John Garcia was the best performer and Double-A next year will be a nice challenge. Villarroel and Bush will be a couple young guys to keep an eye on in 2025.
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