Martín Maldonado is needlessly being leaned on again. After he started more than 76 percent of the regular season games in 2020, the Astros backstop is still receiving 70-plus percent of the starts at catcher in 2021.
Despite Maldonado’s non-existent offensive production this season, he continues to draw the vast majority of the starts behind the plate — 15 in 21 games since the All-Star Break.
Last year’s on-base percentage of .350 has predictably regressed to its usual sub-.300 figure, and there is no longer an inadequate backup behind Maldonado on the depth chart. The Astros signed the offensive-minded, left-handed hitting Jason Castro in January to complement Maldonado’s defensive prowess.