Houston Astros: Why The Young Core Of Players Don’t Need To DH!
3. Brian McCann
The veteran backstop was acquired back in November. He even waived his no-trade clause with the Yankees to come here. And now, the spacemen have Brian McCann at the helm to guide the pitching staff through the majority of games this coming season.
This future hall of famer has had 10 of his 12 seasons in the major leagues so far bank in 20 or more home runs. Yogi Berra, Johnny Bench, and Mike Piazza are the only other catchers that have gone for more seasons with at least that many long balls hit over the fence.
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Additionally, the cleverly named BMac has also slashed .266/.340/.459 across a very illustrious career. Factor in a career ISO of .193, and a wRC+ of 113 that matches that of his wonder twin, Evan Gattis, and you have another solid all around catcher in Brian McCann.
The Astros did bring him in for his solid pitch blocking, game calling, and framing. That much is true from his oStr of 8.1% and RAA of 5.7 as a backstop in 2016 with the boys in pinstripe.
Look for BMac to not only work the pitching staff well and hold his own on defense, but give plenty of chase with that power bat of his!