Getting Back to Where He Once Belonged!

The Houston Astros optioned your people's champion and mine, Evan Gattis, back down to the AA Corpus Christi Hooks squad following the game against the Mariners on Friday in an attempt to get him the reps at catcher that he did not get the opportunity to partake in during Spring Training due to the recovery from the hernia surgery. Also, with his average so far in the first 20 or so games with the Astros being only a mere .203, odds are this was also a good opportunity to get his bat back into working form.

So how did El Oso Blanco himself feel about this? From Jake Kaplan of The Houston Chronicle:

"I'm on board with it. I love to catch," he said. "It's where I feel comfortable on the field." 
"I think it will be really good for me," Gattis said. "Moving forward, I'm just excited."

So Gattis went down for his first game of catching on Saturday that he had not previously seen since September 28th of 2014, when he was still with the Atlanta Braves. The plan is for him to make a 10 game stint, the minimum for catching reps, during the Hooks home stand, and then return back to the Astros shortly after. Early projections are that Evan should be back up in time for the Astros to be home again on May 20th to start a 3 game stand with the in-state rival, Texas Rangers.

And the Big White Bear wasted absolutely no time upon his arrival to Corpus Christi!

In his first game, he caught 7 innings and went 1-for-3 with a 2 run homer that made the difference in the game and gave the Hooks the 2-0 victory over the visiting San Antonio Missions.

In his second game, he reverted back to the DH and went 1-for-4 with a late inning double.

Last night, in his 3rd game down with the Hooks, he caught again and went 1-for-4 with a base hit single. The big difference in this, however, was that Evan caught ALL NINE INNINGS. Unlike only 7 from his first evening down in Corpus Christi.

Looks like things are getting ahead of schedule with the proverbial Captain Caveman. But then again, his hard work ethic and team player attitude always helps those things along much quicker than usual, and surprises even the most staunch of critics and haters.

I've explained this notion a few times already across online and social media platforms, but I figured I should mention here as well. Starting catcher, Jason Castro becomes a free agent in 2017. Max Stassi has a health scare, and both Roberto Pena and Tyler Heineman are untested. Add to that, the fact that Castro will command well over 8 million as a free agent, while the Astros' 2017 option for Evan Gattis is only $5.2 million. Given this scenario, it seems as though Gattis could be on his way to backing up Castro this season, and possibly, inheriting the starter mantle next season.

Only time will tell, but this seems like a pretty good setup scenario to me. This will also give Skipper A.J. Hinch more roster flexibility and versatility among the likes of players like Preston Tucker, Tyler White, and even minor league prospects A.J. Reed and Colin Moran. All when Evan Gattis does get back to where he once belonged, in his old defensive position while also regaining the pop to his bat that the team targeted him for in the first place. The sky is starting to be the limits, the few that there are, for El Oso Blanco, and I cannot wait until the stint in Corpus Christi is up and he is back on the major league roster catching with poise and batting with the sheer power he has always, and will always possess.

Photo Credits: Tammy Tucker, Corpus Christi Hooks Organization

The best phrase to describe these pics: "Poetry in Motion!" 

P.S. - Today marks exactly two years since I first met Evan, and my life has drastically changed for the better ever since. If you are reading this Evan, I'm very grateful for all that you've done for me, and continue to do for others. You are now and always a huge inspiration, and the REAL people's champion!!!!