Lorenzo Quintana must be wondering what he has to do to attract the attention of his bosses, the Houston Astros.

Signed out of his native Cuba for $200,000 in November 2017, the 30-year-old has worked his way up to the team’s AAA Round Rock Express as a catcher, and he’s currently turning in a gleaming performance in the Mexican Pacific League.

Heads may indeed be turning, though, in Quintana’s direction, as he’s played 12 of his 42 games with the Caneros de Los Mochis of the MPL at first base (through games of December 4). Their season runs through December, so more games at first could be in the offing, although he just showed up as a reserve on the team, so his winter ball may be cut short. The Caneros are now carrying three catchers, perhaps to accommodate a late-comer.

With current Astros first baseman Yuli Gurriel having recently renegotiated his contract through the 2020 season, Houston may see a potential mini-Yuli taking root in Quintana: He bats righty like Yuli, and played in the Cuban National Series (Serie Nacional de Béisbol) –Gurriel, for 15 years, Quintana, seven, exclusively at the catcher position.

Granted, there’s a noticeable talent gap between the two, but Quintana continues to prove he’s a consistent, reliable, and solid asset at the plate, while improving his value behind the plate… and beyond.

But, There’s a Catch

As the Astros entered December, catchers on their 40-man roster numbered only two: the 26-year-old Garrett Stubbs (with just 39 MLB plate appearances), and the newly-signed journeyman Dustin Garneau, 32. Both of them seem likely to duke it out in Spring Training for a backup spot.

Houston’s 2019 backstop tandem of Robinson Chirinos and Martin Maldonado are currently free agents. One or both could end up re-signing with the ‘Stros or they could simply seek to acquire an experienced backstop through a deal or signing.

The Astros will likely be stirring the catching pot on the hot stove front at the annual winter meetings during December’s second week in San Diego. Nevertheless, Quintana is doing everything but screaming and waving his arms, hoping someone in the front office will notice his consistent production… including adding another glove to his travel bag.

Houston’s scouts and front office may indeed see Quintana’s progress behind the plate as a little stunted, or they simply may want to do what they routinely do throughout the system: When possible, provide prospects with opportunities to broaden their fielding flexibility, chiefly to increase their likelihood of promotion.

Related: Astros Move Outfielder Myles Straw To Shortstop

Q’s On First?

While his 2019 Winter League stint isn’t the first time Quintana has donned a first baseman’s mitt, it seems to be a continuation of a move made while with Houston’s AA Corpus Christi Hooks earlier in the year, and again after his promotion to Round Rock.

Quintana, 5’10” and 198 lbs, played one game at first for Santurce in the Puerto Rican Winter League a year ago, in what appears to be his first step out from behind the plate. While present at Houston’s West Palm Beach 2019 Spring Training camp, it’s unclear if anything beyond workouts might have been done there at first base.

Beginning the 2019 season at Corpus, Quintana turned in 43 games for the Hooks, 10 of them manning first, 23 at catcher, and 10 at DH. Upon his promotion to Round Rock, he only saw one game at the first base bag, with 19 at catcher, 10 as DH… and he even pitched an inning.

His lack of innings at first for the Express may have to do with two things: Round Rock was only carrying one other catcher, fellow prospect Jamie Ritchie. Plus, the Astros understandably gave highly-touted youngster Taylor Jones most of the reps at first base (AJ Reed split time with Jones at first base til Houston designated the lefty power-hitter for assignment July 2).

Caneros de Los Mochis: Continued Consistency

In his 42 games (174 plate appearances) for the Caneros de Los Mochis, Quintana has stepped up to hit .278, with eight doubles and four homers, with a .339/.405/.744 slash line.

That output compares favorably with his 2019 Round Rock production of .264, slashing .311/.464/.775 in 31 games (122 PAs), as well as his impressive, 43-game AA Corpus Christi turn of a .321 average, with a .363/.601/.964 line in 179 PAs. His combined OPS, then, with both 2019 teams was .870. Quintana carried an impressive 166 wRC+ out of Round Rock to finish his regular season.

Quintana spent the whole of 2018 at Corpus, hitting a solid if unspectacular .254, slashing .316/.484/.799 in 266 PAs.

Related: With Corpus Christi, Quintana Nears 30 & An Astros Promotion

2020 Foresight, Right On “Q”

Quintana is in a bit of a quandary, a backstop no man’s land: Not the sexy, early-20s hot-shot prospect (he’ll turn 31 March 1), nor a seasoned MLB veteran, his years playing in Cuba give him more high-level experience than Stubbs or Ritchie, but as well-regarded prospects, they’ll likely get an opportunity before “Q.”

Should Stubbs regress in the spring, he may end up back in Round Rock, especially if the Astros swing a deal to land an experienced backstop before hitting Florida, and if Garneau sticks as the second catcher after camp breaks.

But, all of that may be why Quintana’s picked up a first baseman’s mitt. Keep your eye on the Astros’ Spring Training games to see who lines up where… and how often.