05-02-2010, 04:28 PM
<!--quoteo(post=94231:date=May 2 2010, 01:19 PM:name=BT)-->QUOTE (BT @ May 2 2010, 01:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=94225:date=May 2 2010, 03:08 PM:name=Destined)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Destined @ May 2 2010, 03:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=94215:date=May 2 2010, 12:59 PM:name=BT)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BT @ May 2 2010, 12:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Why do we need to bring up Castro, exactly?<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
A few reasons.
<b>A. Youth.</b> Look at what youth can do for a veteran ballclub. In 2007 the momentum and spirit from Theriot and Fontenot was huge in June and July. September came around and Hart and Soto added another jolt of energy. It's been seen time and time again how a youthful presence can energize a team.
<b>B. He's ready. </b>Look at his numbers in Knoxville, and what he did in Spring Training. He's raking, and it looks like he can handle the top prospects in the Southern League pretty well and there's no reason for sending him to Iowa.
<b>C. His style of play.</b> He's a shortstop with range, which puts Theriot at his natural position and improves the defense. Looking strictly at his numbers, he looks like an aggressive jitterbug on the bases. He's going to get nabbed stealing here and there, but he turns doubles into triples and plays with high energy.
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A. Youth has nothing to do with it. Gary Gaetti, Jim Edmonds, and Kenny Lofton all had similar impacts. Talent and production energize a team. It doesn't matter how old you are.
B. Maybe. Let's say he was hitting .355, with an OPS of 921 after 275 at bats in AAA. Would he be ready then? Even readier? Those were Ronny Cedeno's numbers in 2005. I'm not saying Castro is Cedeno, but I am saying spring training and a month at AA don't tell us everything.
C. He's a shortsop who made almost 40 errors last year. It doesn't matter if his range allows him to get to more balls he can drop. 40 errors is a LOT of errors.
More to the point, why would we risk rushing a guy up to the majors, starting his arbitration clock early, all to fill a need that doesn't actually exist right now? I'm all for bringing him up if Theriot or Fontenot resume sucking ass again, but right now we aren't "fixing" anything by bumping Fontenot from the lineup and putting in a 20 year old who is shaky with the glove at best at Short.
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I agree about Gaetti, Edmonds and Lofton. Good point. I do think youth still plays a role though. It's the carefree attitude and energy a player plays with that does it.
His numbers don't tell us everything, right. Like how numerous people around the organization said he wasn't nervous or cocky in ST and unlike other former Cubs prospects, he acted like he belonged. But really though, it's not like his numbers are a fluke. He's been consistent for an extended period going back a year or so in the minors and fall league. Give him better coaching and risk throwing him into the fire. If you want to hold the clock, then bring him up May 25th to start a home-stand with LA and STL. Jay Bruce and Ryan Braun were brought up around that time and weren't 'Super Twos'.
I see your concern about his defense, but all shortstops make a ton of errors in the minors.
A few reasons.
<b>A. Youth.</b> Look at what youth can do for a veteran ballclub. In 2007 the momentum and spirit from Theriot and Fontenot was huge in June and July. September came around and Hart and Soto added another jolt of energy. It's been seen time and time again how a youthful presence can energize a team.
<b>B. He's ready. </b>Look at his numbers in Knoxville, and what he did in Spring Training. He's raking, and it looks like he can handle the top prospects in the Southern League pretty well and there's no reason for sending him to Iowa.
<b>C. His style of play.</b> He's a shortstop with range, which puts Theriot at his natural position and improves the defense. Looking strictly at his numbers, he looks like an aggressive jitterbug on the bases. He's going to get nabbed stealing here and there, but he turns doubles into triples and plays with high energy.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
A. Youth has nothing to do with it. Gary Gaetti, Jim Edmonds, and Kenny Lofton all had similar impacts. Talent and production energize a team. It doesn't matter how old you are.
B. Maybe. Let's say he was hitting .355, with an OPS of 921 after 275 at bats in AAA. Would he be ready then? Even readier? Those were Ronny Cedeno's numbers in 2005. I'm not saying Castro is Cedeno, but I am saying spring training and a month at AA don't tell us everything.
C. He's a shortsop who made almost 40 errors last year. It doesn't matter if his range allows him to get to more balls he can drop. 40 errors is a LOT of errors.
More to the point, why would we risk rushing a guy up to the majors, starting his arbitration clock early, all to fill a need that doesn't actually exist right now? I'm all for bringing him up if Theriot or Fontenot resume sucking ass again, but right now we aren't "fixing" anything by bumping Fontenot from the lineup and putting in a 20 year old who is shaky with the glove at best at Short.
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I agree about Gaetti, Edmonds and Lofton. Good point. I do think youth still plays a role though. It's the carefree attitude and energy a player plays with that does it.
His numbers don't tell us everything, right. Like how numerous people around the organization said he wasn't nervous or cocky in ST and unlike other former Cubs prospects, he acted like he belonged. But really though, it's not like his numbers are a fluke. He's been consistent for an extended period going back a year or so in the minors and fall league. Give him better coaching and risk throwing him into the fire. If you want to hold the clock, then bring him up May 25th to start a home-stand with LA and STL. Jay Bruce and Ryan Braun were brought up around that time and weren't 'Super Twos'.
I see your concern about his defense, but all shortstops make a ton of errors in the minors.
I hate my pretentious sounding username too.