Willians Astudillo, Atlanta Braves
Who Is He?
Astudillo was signed out of Venezuela in 2008 by the Philadelphia Phillies, and he showed immediately that he had an ability to make good contact and nearly never strike out. However, his squat build (he currently checks in at 5’9 and 225 pounds) wasn’t exactly producing a great defender. Then he had Tommy John surgery and lost a year and a half to the recovery.
Since his return, he’s not the guy to gun down runners, but he’s worked hard to stay behind the plate, including on his framing. He was picked up by the Atlanta Braves as a minor league free agent this winter, and he’s been one of the best framers in the minor leagues, and he rarely strikes out, totaling 54 strikeouts on 1830 plate appearances, which is less than 3%!
He may not be a major league starter, but if he can continue framing like this and making good contact without striking out, he could work his way to the majors in a backup role.
Videos
Next: Former Third Sacker Now Behind The Dish