Gattis says catching may help
ARLINGTON — Evan Gattis’ recent offensive surge dates to when he returned to the Astros three weeks ago from a 10-day stint with Class AA Corpus Christi.
It also dates to when he resumed catching in major league games for the first time in two seasons. Any correlation? “Maybe,” Gattis said. “Your eyes are kind of like a muscle with being able to see (pitches). And also, you’re more active.”
Additionally, when he catches, as opposed to serving as the Astros’ designated hitter, Gattis’ primary job isn’t to hit — “It’s to have a good, quality game catching,” he said — so that might lessen any self-implied pressure while in the batter’s box.
Whatever the correlation, it’s indisputable Gattis changes the complexion of the Astros’ lineup when he’s hitting like he has in recent games. Coming into Monday night’s series opener against the Texas Rangers, Gattis had homered in three consecutive games and in four of his last five.
In the 18 games he had played entering Monday since returning from Corpus Christi, Gattis was batting .288 with a 1.002 OPS. He batted .203 with one home run and a .570 OPS in his first 70 plate appearances of the season.
“He’s not as anxious,” manager A.J. Hinch said. “Our guys get in a hurry sometimes when we get in these lulls offensively. Other teams pitch to the margins against us because they are afraid of our power.
“With Gattis in particular, even the borderline strikes need to be taken, and that will lead to borderline balls being taken and getting into better hitter’s counts. He’s hunted pitches a lot better and laid off other pitches.”