Houston Astros: Lorenzo Quintana looks ready to battle for a roster spot this offseason

Houston Astros catcher Lorenzo Quintana has his best chance to reach the majors this season.

Houston Astros catcher Lorenzo Quintana will be given every opportunity to win a roster spot this spring. The Astros loves the bat of the 30 year old catcher from Pinar del Rio, Cuba.

Last year in the minors Quintana hit .299 with 17 bombs and 56 RBI’s in 76 games with Round Rock (AA) and Corpus Christi (AAA).

When I asked him what his goals were for the spring the backstop replied,” I’m going to give it my all to try to win a roster spot. By working hard and maintaining disciplined I can earn a spot on this team. I’m going to prove that I belong here.”

His Achilles heel since he signed with the ball club has been his defense, but he assured me that he worked hard on it this winter in México, “This winter I worked real hard on my defense with Los Mochis of the Mexican Winter League. They told me my defense was my biggest drawback, but I assure you with the corrections I’ve  made you will see a different Lorenzo Quintana behind the plate.”

Watching him work with Cionel Pérez this Friday at the team’s spring training complex I got to see the adjustments that Quintana has made in his technique behind the plate and he did look more fluid and less robotic.

Quintana not only worked on his defense this winter in the MWL but continued to fine tune his hitting, which is at a Major League level. In 42 games with the Canecutters the slugger hit .278, went yard four times and drove in 20 runs.

If the Quintana we saw in México this winter is any indication of the player we will see this spring, he might very be on the big league roster when the ‘Stros break camp.

Could Lorenzo Quintana make the Houston Astros? That still remains to be seen.