Humberto Quintero

2013

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2012

Quintero continued his light-hitting backup catcher ways, predictably terrible at the plate but reasonably good behind it. He hit just .240 with only six walks in 262 at-bats, and if the Astros (who will eventually have Jason Castro back) were smart, they would have just let him walk this offseason. Instead, he was re-signed to a one-year deal in December after Castro underwent foot surgery.

2011

The Astros finally came to terms with the fact that Quintero's poor batting eye - he featured a 8:59 BB:K ratio in 2010 - does not make him a viable major league regular. That said, he has established himself as Brett Myers' personal catcher, leading the hurler to one of the best seasons of his career. That distinction and Jason Castro's youth will ensure Quintero gets a decent number of at-bats this season, but just because he gets into some games doesn't mean you'll want him in your lineup. At his best, Quintero is nothing more than a backup catcher and organizational filler.

2010

Quintero is one of those guys who you'd never expect it but will be inevitably hanging around five years from now, racking up defensive innings for some team despite wielding an anemic bat. Major league teams love guys like him, even though he'll never get enough playing time or contact swings for it to matter to your fantasy squad. While he is acceptable as a backup catcher for the Astros, you don't want him on your fantasy team.

2009

Quintero took over as the Astros’ starting catcher in late June and never looked back, save for a concussion suffered in July. His offense left plenty to be desired, as he hit just .226 with eight extra-base hits in 168 at-bats, but his defense behind the plate was stellar. He caught nearly 38 percent of potential base stealers and was a very reliable receiver. J.R. Towles has more upside, especially as a hitter, but the two should compete for the starting job in spring training.

2008

Quintero spent most of the year with Triple-A Round Rock, hitting .333/.355/.497 in 177 at-bats, and received a token call-up in September. At 28 years old, he's nothing more than a backup catcher, and with Brad Ausmus and prospect J.R. Towles looking like the top two catchers for Houston next season, he'll likely spend another yet at Round Rock.

2007

Quintero hit .298/.352/.425 at Triple-A Round Rock in 2006. He had a brief stint with the Astros last season, getting 21 at-bats in 11 games. He'll compete with J.R. House to be the primary backup to Brad Ausmus.

2006

A good defensive catcher. If your league uses caught stealing against as a category, Quintero might some day end up on a roster. Until then, you can ignore him.

2005

For the second straight year, the young defense-first prospect hit in the minors, this time at Triple-A Portland where he posted an .809 OPS in 67 games. His hitting prospects now look stronger and he's been upgraded to potentially average for a catcher, although his forte is, and will always be, as a defender. Former Padre David Wells commented his throwing is second to only Pudge Rodriguez, and while Boomer is never short on exaggeration, he should become a standout defender in time. He has the inside track as the backup to Brad Ausmus while the club determines if another year of development is in order.

2004

The backstop came to the Padres from the White Sox in the deal for infielder D'Angelo Jimenez in 2002, and was named to the Double-A Southern League's 2003 All-Star team. He hit .298 and earned a September call-up over Wiki Gonzalez, where he had five hits in 23 at-bats. The organization feels he's ready to be a backup in 2004, and the organization has all but handed him the job. It's all he'll probably ever become, however, as his prospect status is that of a defensive catcher. With six career home runs in as many minor league seasons, he's not likely to ever have the bat to go with the vaunted defensive skills.

2003

Defensive specialist who’s bat might keep him from the bigs. Quintero did manage to hit .263 in a 41-game stint for AA Mobile, but until he develops a pattern of making contact, he’s nothing more than a million-dollar arm with a two-cent bat.