Or maybe the Astros just think his on-field contribution is more than you do. Or maybe they consider the fact that Diaz has said he doesn't want to actually be a catcher. Or any number of other things. People keep seeming to start with the assumption that they are right and then fit all their facts around that (preferential treatment, walking on eggshells, etc).
But it's the 9 hitter that gets the fewest at-bats, and in Maldy's case, a guy likely to be pinch hit for late in the game (Diaz seems less likely to get pinch hit for). So it could be that for now, Maldy + PH late in critical situation contributes similar or even more OPS than Diaz thus far. Regardless, this isn't a case of one guy screaming for playing time over the other based on overwhelmingly better results. You definitely could argue it based on potential and seeing what Diaz will become, but the idea that Maldy is costing us games and we simply can't afford to have him out there (a claim that was made earlier) vs Diaz seems pretty silly.
Then why haven’t the Astros extended him again if they believe these other contributions are so valuable? Watching Yainer catch, I don’t get the impression that he doesn’t enjoy playing that position. He is very much engaged.
I have been a Maldonado supporter because of what I have heard people around the organization say about him and what he brings to the pitching staff and he has in the past also been solid with the glove and his OPS was in the 600-650 range. Maldonado with a OPS of of 630ish and higher is playable and fine for a #9 hitter. The problem now is his OPS last year was 600. Some of that was that he was injured I am sure. However, this year his OPS is in the 400's and over the last 3 years his cumulative OPS is sub .600.... and defensively he isn't as good. His body is just breaking down, and it isn't a surprise because he is 36 years old and has played injured a lot over the last 5 seasons.
First, Maldonado is a very proud guy and Baker and the Astros take that into consideration because he is so important to the pitching staff. He has looked better than fine, he has looked very good. The tools have been there. Diaz has certainly not always been engaged and has preferred to not catch. He has had periods where he stopped throwing runners out and did not spend adequate time preparing. So far this season he has looked very good behind the plate and his arm and mechanics are strong. Is that going to continue or is he going to back slide in the past? When the newness of the big leagues wears off, will he still be as enthusiastic? I don't know. All I know is that he can really hit, he just needs to make better decisions on what pitches to hit.
1. This is a problem though. I mean, the social media staff can't even post that Yainier is 6-0 in games started at catcher without the front office/Baker freaking out. 2. Agreed.
Funny thing is that Diaz probably won't find a better opportunity than having his competition be a cheaply paid, veteran starter that is rapidly falling off. It's like "c'mon man, this is pretty tee'd up for you to take time away from Maldy but we're not just gonna GIVE it to you".
Maldy is rarely pinch hit for and still gets about 4 PAs a game. I get that there might not be an adequate internal replacement. Though when comparing Diaz to Maldy, that difference in OPS is a big deal if it remains and Maldy would need to make up production gap elsewhere to be deemed as good or better. I don't know if Diaz is better now than Maldy. That said, I don't see overwhelming better results for Maldy either. It just seems like it is a matter of time before the front office addresses the catcher situation. Maybe trade deadline. Maybe they tell Dusty to play Diaz more often to see if Diaz improves. Maybe wait until free agency. I really hope the Astros have a better catcher prior to next season, but it will take actual money/prospects to do it. Hopefully sooner.
I do wonder if Yainer goes through phases where he feels that playing catcher is beneath him, even though he has the aptitude for it. Maybe he needs some convincing that this is the best path for him to play at least semi-regularly (which I'm sure several folks have been in his ear about). xcrunner summed it up perfectly; this is a position battle that he can win easily, it really comes down to whether or not he wants to win it.
Aside from a handful of games in the outfield (5 RF, 3 LF) and 48 games at 1B, the vast majority of Diaz's playing time in the minors has come as a catcher. He has only appeared as a catcher when he has played in the field in the majors.
But is it really a competition? When he is the starting catcher the team is 6-0, the pitching has been dominant, and his slash line as a catcher is .333/.391/.444. By any metric you use he has been amazing behind the plate and should be taking at least a little time away from Maldonado. As a hitter he's looked far, far worse in the games he's not catching. This is not to say I love everything I see, he won't be successful if he can't start laying off some pitches. Will he backslide as a catcher and not be as good, maybe. However if this is a catching competition, on the field he is clearly winning right now but there's been no change in playing time.
