Starlin Castro

[cherp]

<!--quoteo(post=70236:date=Nov 27 2009, 09:15 PM:name=Brock)-->QUOTE (Brock @ Nov 27 2009, 09:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->This is going to end badly, one way or another. No doubt in my mind.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

They won't rush him...unless Jamarillo wants them to?

The game has changed a lot - players are rushed across the board. 15 years ago we wouldnt be talking about this kid as a potential 2010 on the MLB squad. I don't see how, at his size/age, a full season at AA wouldn't be helpful to his long term development - but I assume Hendry and company know better than we do.

[rok]

I still doubt we'll see him this season aside from possibly September. From all I've heard we're still looking to upgrade 2B, not SS for the upcoming season, so we're stuck with Theriot at SS for the time being. Castro will probably impress everyone in ST, then go down for a full season at AA.

[Ace]

Seems like a lot could depend on what happens with 2nd base. If Fontenot is non-tendered, but no one else is acquired, are we prepared to have a full-time Theriot-Baker middle of the infield? I guess so, but Castro may be more strongly considered at that point.

[kbwsb]

Interesting point (I read somewhere): Lou has a history of preferring to rush good young shortstops. Sometimes it has worked for him (A-Rod), sometimes it hasn't (B.J.Upton).

[ColoradoCub]

<!--quoteo(post=70258:date=Nov 28 2009, 01:14 PM:name=KBwsb)-->QUOTE (KBwsb @ Nov 28 2009, 01:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Interesting point (I read somewhere): Lou has a history of preferring to rush good young shortstops. Sometimes it has worked for him (A-Rod), sometimes it hasn't (B.J.Upton).<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Defense was always considered Upton's biggest shortcoming though, so it's not surprising that he didn't work out as a SS after being rushed to the big leagues. The consensus view on Castro seems to indicate that he has what it takes, defensively, to be a great big league SS. To me, it seems like the worst cast scenario of bringing him up now is that in the short term, we end up with a similar hitter to Theriot with a better glove.

[SandbergMVP1984]

<!--quoteo(post=70261:date=Nov 28 2009, 03:07 PM:name=ColoradoCub)-->QUOTE (ColoradoCub @ Nov 28 2009, 03:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=70258:date=Nov 28 2009, 01:14 PM:name=KBwsb)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (KBwsb @ Nov 28 2009, 01:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Interesting point (I read somewhere): Lou has a history of preferring to rush good young shortstops. Sometimes it has worked for him (A-Rod), sometimes it hasn't (B.J.Upton).<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Defense was always considered Upton's biggest shortcoming though, so it's not surprising that he didn't work out as a SS after being rushed to the big leagues. The consensus view on Castro seems to indicate that he has what it takes, defensively, to be a great big league SS. To me, it seems like the worst cast scenario of bringing him up now is that in the short term, we end up with a similar hitter to Theriot with a better glove.
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If he has plus defense then I'd think worst case scenario is that we have 2 Andres Blancos on the roster. Saying his worst case with the bat is similar to Theriot is a bit far fetched considering he's never played above AA.

[Ace]

<!--quoteo(post=70261:date=Nov 28 2009, 04:07 PM:name=ColoradoCub)-->QUOTE (ColoradoCub @ Nov 28 2009, 04:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=70258:date=Nov 28 2009, 01:14 PM:name=KBwsb)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (KBwsb @ Nov 28 2009, 01:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Interesting point (I read somewhere): Lou has a history of preferring to rush good young shortstops. Sometimes it has worked for him (A-Rod), sometimes it hasn't (B.J.Upton).<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Defense was always considered Upton's biggest shortcoming though, so it's not surprising that he didn't work out as a SS after being rushed to the big leagues. The consensus view on Castro seems to indicate that he has what it takes, defensively, to be a great big league SS. To me, it seems like the worst cast scenario of bringing him up now is that in the short term, we end up with a similar hitter to Theriot with a better glove.
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Well, I'd say worst case is that, plus Castro's development is wrecked.

[Clapp]

Judging by Castro's 39 errors in 119 games this year(and 50 errors in 161 career games at shortstop), I'd say he's not quite ready to be an everyday middle infielder in the bigs. Now, of course Lee's probably going to save some of those errors and Castro's going to get worlds better there, but he could use some polish in the minors first.

[savant]

He only made two errors in the AFL. So it seems he is improving in that area also.

[Scarey]

Plus, generally lower minor league affiliates have inferior playing surfaces and most players will have a larger number of errors than they would otherwise usually accumulate. At least that's what scouts and minor league tracking entities like BA and BP have said in the past.

[Butcher]

<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->Burt (LA)
Are you on the Starlin Castro bandwagon or under one if its wheels as it careens over the road?


Klaw (1:40 PM)
On it, and belted in.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Keith Law seems to like Castro (from his chat today).

[Scarey]

<!--quoteo(post=70542:date=Dec 3 2009, 03:28 PM:name=Butcher)-->QUOTE (Butcher @ Dec 3 2009, 03:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE <!--quotec-->Burt (LA)
Are you on the Starlin Castro bandwagon or under one if its wheels as it careens over the road?


Klaw (1:40 PM)
On it, and belted in.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Keith Law seems to like Castro (from his chat today).
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Law is one of the drivers of the Starlin bandwagon. Don't know why he even fielded that question.

[Clapp]

<!--quoteo(post=70542:date=Dec 3 2009, 12:28 PM:name=Butcher)-->QUOTE (Butcher @ Dec 3 2009, 12:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE <!--quotec-->Burt (LA)
Are you on the Starlin Castro bandwagon or under one if its wheels as it careens over the road?


Klaw (1:40 PM)
On it, and belted in.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Keith Law seems to like Castro (from his chat today).
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Law's been over Castro's nuts more than anybody. Somebody asked him what former Cubs prospect we could relate Castro to in terms of like how good he can be I think... Law said: Mark Grace.

[kbwsb]

I think the main reason that Law is "over Castro's nuts" is that Law takes the positional differences pretty seriously (on the defensive spectrum).
IOW, almost any pro ballplayer can easily play 1st base or corner OF. Thus, guess where most of the best hitters play? It's because hitting skill is almost all you're looking for at one of those positions.

SS is the opposite. There are simply very few humans who can play it effectively at the pro level. That's why it's extremely rare to find one who can field the position well AND hit...usually, you don't even need to hit that well to get the job, because it's so hard to find someone who can <i>field</i> the position properly.

So, Castro is a rare commodity, and rare commodities are always considered valuable. Hopefully, Jim realizes what he <i>has</i> (at the GM meetings). It should be obvious, when almost every other team is asking for Castro in trade requests.

[kbwsb]

btw, I realize that prospects don't always pan out, and Jim's job may be to put a winner on the field right <i>now</i>. Should be an interesting week.