Houston Astros: The Fiery 2018 Start of Max Stassi

Only two weeks into the season, backup catcher for the Houston Astros, Max Stassi is making quite the early statements in 2018!

Skipper A.J. Hinch had long planned for the Houston Astros to carry 3 catchers in 2018. So it was a given that Max Stassi would make the team to spot Brian McCann behind the plate. It would also allow for Evan Gattis to be the primary DH.

So far, things have gone according to plan….and then some!

Max Stassi has had 5 different stints with the big league club over the years. While already an established defensive player, he has had some issues with the bat. Until now!

Our colleagues over at Climbing Tal’s Hill recently labeled him as a player trending upward. Boy, are they right! Just take a look at where Max Stassi stands as of this writing on both sides of the ball:

Fielding: 1.000 (%), 40 putouts to 42 total chances, 2 assists, 45 innings caught

Offense: .368/.455/.632/1.087 slash line, 1 HR, 6 RBI, .263 ISO, .600 BABIP

All of the above has happened across the 7 games that he has played so far in 2018. Additionally, he has not had enough plate appearances in the big leagues, which qualifies him to be a rookie by league standards.

Could we be looking at a potential AL ROY candidate for 2018? That’s not too far fetched, and here’s why!

Don’t Sell StassMan Short!

HOUSTON, TX – APRIL 08: Max Stassi #12 of the Houston Astros throws out Austin Hedges #18 of the San Diego Padres on swinging strike three at Minute Maid Park on April 8, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

Standing at only 5’10” and 200 lbs, Max Stassi does not have the same towering frame that his two veteran counterparts in McCann and Gattis both possess. Instead of a bear, Stassi may be seen more in the cub category. But let’s not lose him to Chicago, shall we?!

Physicality aside, he is still showing some serious prowess. As a player that came over in the 2013 trade with Chris Carter from over with the Oakland Athletics, Max Stassi has long showed big league promise. The team knew what he could do with the glove, but the bat had trouble coming around.

Despite this, Stassi has repeatedly come up with the minor league players during September call ups as the proverbial third catcher. The sample size for 2018 may be as short as he is. But just like Jose Altuve, Max Stassi is proving very early on that big things do come in small packages!

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Depending on what happens with McCann’s vesting option for next season will determine where Max Stassi goes beyond 2018. Ultimately, even if McCann stays around for 2019, it won’t be long after that before Stassi takes the starting catcher reigns. He will, without a doubt, be the heir apparent to BMac!

Small sample size, I know. Surely, there will be times this season where even Stassi will struggle with the bat. He can already stand to improve both his contact and strikeout rate, which are both worse than league average as of right now. Then again, the same could be said for a fair chunk of the everyday lineup.

Defensively, Max Stassi has also yet to throw out a base runner trying to steal. Two base runners have already beat him out. However, let’s not also forget how stellar he has been in guiding Gerrit Cole and Charlie Morton to victories, as well as being effective with the relievers.

Next: Luc Mbah a Moute's injury will have a profound impact

All things considered, Max Stassi is quickly becoming a staple to this Houston Astros team. Even though baseball has ebbs and flows, Stassi is creating some early waves. Waves that do not appear to be going anywhere at any point soon!

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