With the season is over we will review each position in the minor league system during the 2025 season. This week we will start with catcher position.
TOP PERFORMERS
Walker Janek
Janek was the Astros first round pick in 2024 and had a solid first professional season in 2025. The 22-year-old hit .263 with 21 doubles, 2 triples and 12 home runs over 92 games for High-A Asheville. He also added a surprising 30 stolen bases. Even more important though, he threw out 31% of base stealers, a really strong number for a catcher. 2026 could be a big year for him as he should start in Double-A.
2025 Stats: 92 G, .263 BA/.333 OBP/.433 SLG, 21 2B, 2 3B, 12 HR, 46 RBI, 30 SB, 112 wRC+
Will Bush
Bush was drafted out of junior college a couple years ago but had a breakout season in 2025. The 21-year-old started the season in High-A and posted a .812 OPS with 12 homers before getting a promotion to Double-A. For the Hooks he added another 3 home runs and 14 walks in 24 games. Overall he posted a 121 wRC+, which was near the top in the Astros system.
2025 Stats: 97 G, .229 BA/.361 OBP/.416 SLG, 16 2B, 15 HR, 47 RBI, 10 SB, 121 wRC+
Jancel Villarroel
Villarroel put together a nice 2024 season and followed that up with a better 2025. The 20-year-old hit .259 with 18 doubles, 8 home runs, 54 runs batted in and 20 stolen bases. In Single-A he posted a 122 wRC+ with a nice 11.3 BB% and 17.2 K%. His numbers dipped a but at High-A but it was small sample. He also played multiple infield positions and finished with a really strong 118 wRC+.
2025 Stats: 100 G, .259 BA/.351 OBP/.388 SLG, 18 2B, 3 3B, 8 HR, 54 RBI, 20 SB, 118 wRC+
Garret Guillemette
Guillemette was the Astros 15th round pick in 2023. After a decent debut year, he turned in a solid performance in 2025. The 23-year-old split time between High-A and Double-A. In High-A, he hit .243 with 7 home runs and a .779 OPS. He was promoted to Double-A where in 40 games he hit .242 with 6 home runs and a .724 OPS. Good for a 111 wRC+.
2025 Stats: 81 G, .242 BA/.326 OBP/.424 SLG, 15 2B, 13 HR, 47 RBI, 3 SB, 111 wRC+
THE REST OF THE PACK
Jason Schiavone
Schiavone, the Astros 10th round pick in 2024, had a very interesting year. He only hit .180 over 78 games, but managed to draw 63 walks, good for a .390 OBP. He also connected on 12 doubles, 6 home runs and had a 124 wRC+. Strikeouts were high but advanced numbers looked good.
2025 Stats: 78 G, .180 BA/.390 OBP/.324 SLG, 12 2B, 3B, 6 HR, 29 RBI, 11 SB, 124 wRC+
Collin Price
Price made his way to Triple-A in 2025 and had a solid season for Sugar Land. The 25-year-old hit .235 but connected on 18 doubles and 18 home runs while driving in 60 runs. Due to the hitter’s league, he worked out only a 95 wRC+.
2025 Stats: 111 G, .235 BA/.323 OBP/.434 SLG, 18 2B, 3 3B, 18 HR, 60 RBI, 5 SB, 95 wRC+
John Garcia
Garcia has a big year in 2024 in Asheville but never really got it going in 2025. He played in 81 games in Double-A for the Hooks and hit just .189 with 4 homers. Hopefully he can have a bounce back 2026 season.
2025 Stats: 81 G, .189 BA/.312 OBP/.268 SLG, 9 2B, 4 HR, 28 RBI, 9 SB, 76 wRC+
2026 OUTLOOK/CONCLUSION
At the big league level the Astros have Yainer Diaz, who had a down year compared other 2024. He is still penciled in for 2025, but the Janek is one step closer. Janek has the defensive tools to be a big leaguer, even if the bat doesn’t fully catch up. After Janek, the Astros have some intriguing options in Bush and Villarroel, both of whom have played multiple position. 2025 draftee Jase Mitchell should be one to watch too. Maybe not the strongest group in the system, but definitely not a bad list either.
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