With the season is over we will review each position in the minor league system during the 2026 season. This week we will start with catcher position.
TOP PERFORMERS
Jason Schiavone
Schiavone put together a monster breakout season. The 23-year-old catcher got off to a hot start in Asheville hitting .289 with 17 home runs in 35 games. He earned a promotion to Double-A where he hit 14 more home runs to go along with 20 stolen bases. He finished the 2026 season in Triple-A and had 32 home runs and 32 stolen bases, the first 30 HR/30 SB for a catcher in 45 years putting himself in a strong spot for Spring Training in 2027. He also threw out 33% of base stealers.
2026 Stats: 123 G, .252 BA/.391 OBP/.531 SLG, 26 2B, 32 HR, 90 RBI, 32 SB, 134 wRC+
Arturo Flores
Flores was signed in September 2024 after not being selected out of high school. The young catcher put together a historic season for the Woodpeckers. Not only did he lead the team with 17 home runs, that number also set a new franchise record. Flores also drove in 58 runs while posting a .817 OPS over 84 games. A good season for the 20-year-old catcher.
2026 Stats: 84 G, .253 BA/.362 OBP/.455 SLG, 9 2B, 17 HR, 58 RBI, 4 SB, 121 wRC+
Luis De Leon
De Leon has been in the Astros system for a couple years and had a breakout performance in the FCL in 2026. The 19-year-old played in 38 games for the Astros and hit .390 with 8 doubles, 4 home runs, 23 runs batted in and 21 walks to 16 strikeouts. He moved up to Fayetteville but had an injury that limited him to just 13 games. It was a good season for the young catcher and one he can build on in 2027. In the FCL, he also threw out 44% of base stealers.
2026 Stats: 51 G, .342 BA/.431 OBP/.466 SLG, 8 2B, 4 HR, 27 RBI, 6 SB, 136 wRC+
THE REST OF THE PACK
Walker Janek
Janek, the Astros first round pick in 2024, came into the season with some hype from the Arizona Fall League but struggled to replicate that success. He got off to a slow start and battled injuries but did have a decent stretch in July where he hit .327 with an OPS over 1.000. Overall, Janek hit .230 with 84 strikeouts in 59 games in Double-A.
2026 Stats: 72 G, .250 BA/.320 OBP/.413 SLG, 11 2B, 3B, 10 HR, 48 RBI, 27 SB, 89 wRC+
Collin Price
Price has steadily made his way up in the minors and in 2026 he got to make his major league debut in Houston. In 86 games in Triple-A, Price hit just .204 but he also connected on 18 home runs and drew 51 walks. The overall numbers don’t jump off the page, but he was league average with the bat and threw out 24% of base stealers.
2026 Stats: 86 G, .204 BA/.330 OBP/.428 SLG, 14 2B, 18 HR, 44 RBI, 8 SB, 99 wRC+
Jase Mitchell
Mitchell was drafted by the Astros in 7th round in 2025 and got a nice bonus to forego college. He made his debut in the FCL this season and had an interesting season. He hit just .168, but had a .463 on-base percentage thanks to a ridiculous 33.8 walk percentage. He didn’t connect on any homers but showed good plate discipline.
2026 Stats: 43 G, .168 BA/.463 OBP/.267 SLG, 8 2B, 3B, 17 RBI, 9 SB, 124 wRC+
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