Houston Astros Two Top Prospects To Compete For Backup Catcher Role This Spring

It'll be a showdown this spring between the two top prospects.

Houston Astros' prospects Yainer Diaz and Korey Lee will compete this spring for the team's backup catcher role.

Jason Castro's retirement opens the door for either Diaz or Lee to take over as Martin Maldonado's primary backup this season. The Astros have not brought in any veteran catchers this offseason, rather, going within their organization to find Castro's replacement.

Yainer Diaz is the No. 3 ranked prospect in the Astros' organization.

The twenty-four-year-old posted a fantastic .306/.356/.542 triple-slash line with 25 home runs, 96 RBIs, two stolen bases and 75 runs scored over 105 games last season, split between Double-A and Triple-A.

Korey Lee is the No. 7 ranked prospect in the Astros' organization.

The twenty-four-year-old recorded a .238/.307/.483 triple-slash line, with 25 home runs, 76 RBIs, 12 stolen bases and 74 runs scored over 104 games in Triple-A last season.

Both catchers have a real chance of making the Astros' Opening Day roster, however, Diaz would figure to have a slight edge over Lee.
Photo Credit:  Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports