EVERY-THING SPORTS
How critical key to Houston Astros season is hiding in plain sight
There was a time when I thought the Astros were permanently cursed at two positions. Shortstop and catcher were plagued for years with the stereotypical good defensive guys who couldn't hit their way out of a box made of Legos with a metal bat. Adam Everett, Julio Lugo, Jonathan Villar, Tony Eusebio, Brad Ausmus, and Martin Maldonado to name a few. I'm sure you guys can come up with a few more. Those were the guys that came to mind for me.
Along came number one overall pick and shortstop prodigy Carlos Correa. He changed the game when it came to those defensive wizards at short whose best hits were bloop singles they leg out to first base. Not only was his defense elite, his bat was as well. Power, average, and in the clutch. He did it all. I'm getting those same feelings about Yainer Diaz at catcher. At 24, he's tied for the youngest guy on the roster right now. In my opinion, he's been the best hitter on said roster not named Yordan.
That isn't a hot take because it's the truth! He's second on the team in batting average, second in slugging, second in OPS, tied for fifth in homers…all of this while being 11th on the team in total at bats (119), and 11th on the team in games played (37). You mean to tell me we can't find more playing time for this kid? I'd have him at DH until Yordan gets back. I don't care who's making what money and who's feelings may/may not get hurt. Yainer is in the lineup somewhere every single day unless he's hurt!
Can he stretch and scoop balls at first? How does he look catching up to bloop singles in left? What pitchers like their own personal catcher? The service Maldonado provides at catcher is immeasurable. He knows opposing batters better than they know themselves in some cases. The amount of info he provides the staff while navigating them in and out of the other team's lineup is insane. While I truly value his intangibles, I know he's a liability at the plate. What good is a guy like him in a game you lose 4-1 because you couldn't get more timely hits off a pitcher with an ERA that looks more like Steph Curry's career three point percentage (.428)?
There are 16 games until the All Star break. Nine of those games are against teams under .500 this season. The middle four games of that stretch are against the Rangers. The Astros remain 5.5 games behind the Rangers in the AL West. This collection of games is crucial for the stretch run. Diaz will be heavily counted on to continue producing. If Yordan isn't coming back until just before or after the All Star break, someone will need to step up. Diaz is doing that right now, but needs some help.
I've said it before and I'll keep saying it: one man can't carry a whole lineup. It would take an otherworldly effort, and some illegal stuff, to do so. If Diaz is helping carry the load in the lineup, the team requires their main stars to assist him in the lineup and on the bump. Some other young guys need to produce when given the opportunity. I agree that playing consistently helps. At what point do we hold these guys more accountable for not being able to step up when given the opportunity? We can blame Dusty Baker's lineups all we want. At the end of the day, nine men take the field every day. It's up to those nine to perform, no matter where they're placed in the lineup or how often they play. Diaz has stepped forward and said he's got next. It's time for others to do the same.
