Cub prospects in the news

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Castro is nearly a decade younger than Granderson. Think about that for a second.

[Sever82]

Castro is nearly a decade younger than Granderson. Think about that for a second.

 

A Decade younger and predicted to be in the majors later this year. Not many players come into the Majors at 19/20 yrs old. I know that Castro still has to prove himself but if all indication are correct, he should be quite a player.

[bubblesdachimp]

Count me in the camp that doesnt trade Castro for Grnaderson. Espescially not Marmol and Castro for Granderson. No way.

[NCCubFan]

I wouldn't object to trading Marmol for Granderson (I consider Marmol good but not irreplaceable), but Castro stays.

[Shilzzz]

Fangraphs' Hulet did a AFL write up today

 

Starlin Castro, SS, Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs’ shortstop prospect is looking to make MLB incumbent Ryan Theriot nervous about his job security. The truth of the matter is that Castro currently projects to post similar numbers to that of Mr. Theriot. However, Castro has the edge defensively, so that could cause a shift to second base for the veteran infielder, which would then make Mike Fontenot expendable… perhaps after one more season.

 

In ‘09, Castro hit .302/.340/.391 in high-A, where he spent the majority of the season. He also received a 31-game trial at double-A and held his own as a 19-year-old infielder by hitting .288/.347/.396. He stole 22 bases in 33 attempts in high-A – showing he needs to continue working on his base running skills – but he was perfect in six tries in double-A.

 

Still very young and developing, Castro looks capable of providing a .280-300 average, five to 10 homers and 20-30 steals in his prime. He’ll likely never be a run producer, and he’ll need to show a little more patience (5.0 BB% in high-A) to score a lot of runs at the top of the order. ETA: Mid-2011

[toonsterwu]

It's a fair analysis based on the information at hand, although Hulet doesn't really assess any of the expected projection. That said, it is far from certain that Castro will hit his high end projections right now. Even if he doesn't, that's a solid looking shortstop if he can produce at that level.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Project Prospect[/url]"]Starlin Castro is silky smooth at the plate and on defense. I've quickly become enamored with his balanced swing and quick wrists. You don't need to be a swing mechanics expert to appreciate it his stroke -- it really is a thing of beauty. And while his swing won't lead to high home run totals, so long as he's playing strong defense at an up-the-middle position and hitting a lot of line drives, he'll move quickly.

[toonsterwu]

Project Prospect[/url]"]Starlin Castro is silky smooth at the plate and on defense. I've quickly become enamored with his balanced swing and quick wrists. You don't need to be a swing mechanics expert to appreciate it his stroke -- it really is a thing of beauty. And while his swing won't lead to high home run totals, so long as he's playing strong defense at an up-the-middle position and hitting a lot of line drives, he'll move quickly.

 

The only time I saw Castro this year, I was impressed by the fact that, even though he chased some pitches at times, he never really looked out of control.

[Shilzzz]

Kevin Goldstein Chat today at BP

 

colavito (Memphis, TN): Starlin Castro becomes the top MLB preseason prospect at shortstop in a)2010, b)2011, c) both a and b, or d) none of the above?

 

Kevin Goldstein: D. None of the above. I think he's becoming one of the more over-rated prospects in the game. Don't get me wrong, I really like him, he's an every day big league shortstop -- and a good one at that, but I don't see impact level at all.

 

Rob (Alaska): Since you mentioned it re: Starlin Castro, what's the difference in your eyes between "an everyday big league shortstop - and a good one at that" and "impact level"? I guess what I'm asking is how do you define an impact level player?

 

Kevin Goldstein: Well, let's stick to Castro. He can hit, not doubt. It's a 60 bat, and if you want to throw a future 65+ on it, I'm cool with that. Below average power, doesn't take walks, 4.4 down the line, so he's below average speed and not going to steal bases, he HAS to hit .300 to have value.

 

Dirk (Calgary): Is projectable power wishcasting for Castro? Is that why he's getting overrated? You seem to think he's more Christian Guzman than Hanley, and I've already seem Hanley comparisons.

 

Kevin Goldstein: Again, I really like Starlin Castro, he's a very good shortstop prospect. Comparing him to Hanley Ramirez is maybe the most completely and utterly unreal [expletive] ridiculous thing I've heard all year.

 

Jeff (DC): So at SS, do you see more upside/impact-level potential in D. Gordon than S. Castro?

 

Kevin Goldstein: Well, you get into ranking philosophy territory here. Yes, Gordon has a higher ceiling that Castro, but if I was going to be on which one had a good big league career, I'd bet on Castro, and I might bet a ton.

 

Ben F. (California): How concerned are you about Josh Vitters lack of walks?

 

Kevin Goldstein: I am concerned, in that he's the type of talent where it's the hardest to teach plate discipline. He honestly doesn't swing at a lot of bad pitches, his plate coverage is that good, but he needs to find a way to at least get into more hitter's counts.

 

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Castro stole 28 bases in < 130 games(72%, 100% at AA), and Callis described him as having plus speed.

[sneakypower]

Ben Badler of BA called him a "plus-plus runner"

[mhuber92211]

if 4.4 speed to 1st is below average, what are the averages and a good mix of players that run faster than that?

 

Now this statement may seem somewhat ludicrious but while playing MLB2K it does the "time to 1B" deal and anyone at 4.4 seems to have an above 80 speed rating which is pretty good. I relaize its a video game but percentages and such make an 80 rating above average right?

[Serge]

From a Jason Stark article:

 

• One scout's review of the best player he saw in the Arizona Fall League -- 19-year-old Cubs middle-infield stud Starlin Castro: "A young Hanley Ramirez."

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=stark_jayson&page=rumblings091119&campaign=rss&source=MLBHeadlines

[Guest]

From a Jason Stark article:

 

• One scout's review of the best player he saw in the Arizona Fall League -- 19-year-old Cubs middle-infield stud Starlin Castro: "A young Hanley Ramirez."

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=stark_jayson&page=rumblings091119&campaign=rss&source=MLBHeadlines

](*,)

 

I really hope expectations don't reach these irrational levels. I can see Starlin coming up, putting up decent numbers as a 20-21 year old and getting panned because he's not Hanley Ramirez, getting booed because he's not living up to the hype and finally getting sent out of town.

[Serge]

From a Jason Stark article:

 

• One scout's review of the best player he saw in the Arizona Fall League -- 19-year-old Cubs middle-infield stud Starlin Castro: "A young Hanley Ramirez."

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=stark_jayson&page=rumblings091119&campaign=rss&source=MLBHeadlines

](*,)

 

I really hope expectations don't reach these irrational levels. I can see Starlin coming up, putting up decent numbers as a 20-21 year old and getting panned because he's not Hanley Ramirez, getting booed because he's not living up to the hype and finally getting sent out of town.

 

Yeah, I'm not a big fan of the Hanley comp because I don't think he'll have nearly that kind of power, but I figured I'd post it anyway.

[TruffleShuffle]

From a Jason Stark article:

 

• One scout's review of the best player he saw in the Arizona Fall League -- 19-year-old Cubs middle-infield stud Starlin Castro: "A young Hanley Ramirez."

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=stark_jayson&page=rumblings091119&campaign=rss&source=MLBHeadlines

](*,)

 

I really hope expectations don't reach these irrational levels. I can see Starlin coming up, putting up decent numbers as a 20-21 year old and getting panned because he's not Hanley Ramirez, getting booed because he's not living up to the hype and finally getting sent out of town.

 

it's really up to the cubs. dustin pedroia was lousy after being called up in 2006 and was really bad in his first month in 2007, but the red sox - being an intelligent, well-run organization - trusted their scouts and stuck with him, and he ended up hitting really well that year. if the cubs believe castro is ready and call him up, they need to stick with him regardless of whether he struggles for a week or a month. they can't do what they did with pie and pull the plug after a string of 4 bad games.

[Clem Fandango]

http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/features/04top10s/redsox.html

 

Keith Law is the only person I've seen write that Castro has the potential for anything more than average power. I don't think we can expect Hanley power from Castro, and sure as hell not Arod power. Again though, I'd love for him to prove me wrong.

 

i'm interested to see what the offseason publications have to say about him. last year he was an interesting prospect in rookie ball who hardly anybody had seen play. this year he played the full year at two more prominent levels, became one of the most highly-regarded prospects in the system, and now is tearing it up in the AFL, which any respectable scouting service is watching closely. there should be a lot more info and opinion on him now.

 

Yeah, I'm really wanting to see what people say too. Last year about all we had to go on was a small writeup in BA and a Fleita interview where he gushed over him. We should hopefully have a better read on him this winter.

 

I believe you're referring to a Wilken interview, not Fleita.

 

Oh yeah, I think you're right.

 

Probably both, considering this article from October 31st's Chicago Tribune... didn't see it posted

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-31-arizona-fall-league-oct31,0,240603.story

 

"He has put himself on the fast track to Wrigley Field," Oneri Fleita, the Cubs' vice president of personnel, said by phone from Chicago.

 

"What's not to like?" Fleita said. "To jump him right to high A to start the season, then have him make the all-star team and go 4-for-4 in the all-star game with an inside-the-park home run and then finish the season at Double A, that's more than we could have hoped for.

 

"He's big, he can play defense, he can hit and it looks like he will be able to hit for some power. I thought this year if he would hit .240 at high A, that's great, I'd take it. For such a young guy, he has exceeded our expectations."

 

"We feel like it can only benefit him to learn other positions," he said. "No one has a crystal ball. Trades and acquisitions happen all the time, so there's no guarantee the position you played in the minors is where you will wind up."

 

So when will Castro suit up at Wrigley Field? His reply is quick and direct: "Next year."

 

Fleita is more circumspect.

 

"I can't put a timeline on it," he said. "But hopefully when he gets here he'll be here to stay and will be a big part of our future."

[Guest]

i'm interested to see what the offseason publications have to say about him. last year he was an interesting prospect in rookie ball who hardly anybody had seen play. this year he played the full year at two more prominent levels, became one of the most highly-regarded prospects in the system, and now is tearing it up in the AFL, which any respectable scouting service is watching closely. there should be a lot more info and opinion on him now.

 

Yeah, I'm really wanting to see what people say too. Last year about all we had to go on was a small writeup in BA and a Fleita interview where he gushed over him. We should hopefully have a better read on him this winter.

 

I believe you're referring to a Wilken interview, not Fleita.

 

Oh yeah, I think you're right.

 

Probably both, considering this article from October 31st's Chicago Tribune... didn't see it posted

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-31-arizona-fall-league-oct31,0,240603.story

 

"He has put himself on the fast track to Wrigley Field," Oneri Fleita, the Cubs' vice president of personnel, said by phone from Chicago.

 

"What's not to like?" Fleita said. "To jump him right to high A to start the season, then have him make the all-star team and go 4-for-4 in the all-star game with an inside-the-park home run and then finish the season at Double A, that's more than we could have hoped for.

 

"He's big, he can play defense, he can hit and it looks like he will be able to hit for some power. I thought this year if he would hit .240 at high A, that's great, I'd take it. For such a young guy, he has exceeded our expectations."

 

"We feel like it can only benefit him to learn other positions," he said. "No one has a crystal ball. Trades and acquisitions happen all the time, so there's no guarantee the position you played in the minors is where you will wind up."

 

So when will Castro suit up at Wrigley Field? His reply is quick and direct: "Next year."

 

Fleita is more circumspect.

 

"I can't put a timeline on it," he said. "But hopefully when he gets here he'll be here to stay and will be a big part of our future."

 

Thanks for the link. :)

 

We were talking about 2008, though.

[Gmoney08]

From a Jason Stark article:

 

• One scout's review of the best player he saw in the Arizona Fall League -- 19-year-old Cubs middle-infield stud Starlin Castro: "A young Hanley Ramirez."

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=stark_jayson&page=rumblings091119&campaign=rss&source=MLBHeadlines

 

Even though im quite sure this is Stark overexaggerating, I wont lie I came in my pants.

[Gmoney08]

Starlin had a very similar year actually probably slightly better than Hanley at the same age of 19. Plus Starlin was playing in High A then AA, while Hanley was in Low A.

 

My question to NSBB did Hanley always project for this much power at a young age. Or was he similar to Starlin with meh power number at age 19 and it was a big question mark whether he would fillout with power or not.

 

I've heard reports that Starlin's growth plates are still open and expect him to grow another 2 inches and be around 6'3 190-200. Thats almost Arod type stature.

 

Although I usually LOL at growth plate reports because honestly how can you project that. Besides for that Starlin looks 12 and doesnt look like hes hit puberty yet I dont know any other basis for that projection. Plus even for a late developing guy growing 2 inches at 19 years old seems far fetched.

[jersey cubs fan]

My question to NSBB did Hanley always project for this much power at a young age. Or was he similar to Starlin with meh power number at age 19 and it was a big question mark whether he would fillout with power or not.

 

I don't know what he projected as, but he had 15 HR, and 67 XBH in his first two years compared to 6 and 51 for Starlin, so he was already more powerful.

[Gmoney08]

My question to NSBB did Hanley always project for this much power at a young age. Or was he similar to Starlin with meh power number at age 19 and it was a big question mark whether he would fillout with power or not.

 

I don't know what he projected as, but he had 15 HR, and 67 XBH in his first two years compared to 6 and 51 for Starlin, so he was already more powerful.

 

If you think about it though that doesnt seem drastically more powerful then me. Thats 2 years stats. So per season Hanley was averaging 7.5 HR to Castro's 3 and 33.5 XBH to Castros 25.5.

 

Thats with their 18 year old stats in there. But, then if you look at just age 19 Castro was playing in High A then Double A while Hanley was in low A the difference is even closer. Castro 31 XBH to Hanleys 35. Granted Hanley hit 5 more Hr's but Castro was playing tougher competition.

 

Im not saying Castro will have Hanley or Arod type power. But, I would not dismiss it as insane. Especially for as raw as he is.

[Cubswin11]

From a Jason Stark article:

 

• One scout's review of the best player he saw in the Arizona Fall League -- 19-year-old Cubs middle-infield stud Starlin Castro: "A young Hanley Ramirez."

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=stark_jayson&page=rumblings091119&campaign=rss&source=MLBHeadlines

[YearofDaCubs]

How did we exactly sign or acquire Castro? Was it through the international free agency?

[TruffleShuffle]

How did we exactly sign or acquire Castro? Was it through the international free agency?

 

yes, signed as at age 16 out of the dominican republic. i don't think he received much of a signing bonus.