Bruce Miles on Starlin Castro

[Garwilly]

This feels like the debate over bringing up "Downtown" in Major League 3.

[Guest]

Tell that to the Braves last year who held back Tommy Hanson and were close to getting in the playoffs. They didn't make the same mistake with Heyward this year.

 

tommy hanson turned 23 in august last year and had 2 years of full-season ball under his belt, including spending most of the previous year at AA. starlin castro just turned 20 a month ago and has played only 1 year of full-season ball, most of which was spent in A ball. hanson starting the year in AAA was in large part a financial decision; starting castro in AA has a lot more to do with not rushing the player and hurting his development.

 

Yes but it seems to be that Castro is ready to join the big leagues. He showed it in ST and has shown it in the minors. I don't think he can really develop any more down there. He has maxed out the development he could get in the minors.

 

Please explain how he's maxed out in development in the minors. That's ridiculous.

[Sammy Sofa]

Petition to change Wilson's status to "maxed out in the minors."

[CubbieBum]

Tell that to the Braves last year who held back Tommy Hanson and were close to getting in the playoffs. They didn't make the same mistake with Heyward this year.

 

tommy hanson turned 23 in august last year and had 2 years of full-season ball under his belt, including spending most of the previous year at AA. starlin castro just turned 20 a month ago and has played only 1 year of full-season ball, most of which was spent in A ball. hanson starting the year in AAA was in large part a financial decision; starting castro in AA has a lot more to do with not rushing the player and hurting his development.

 

Yes but it seems to be that Castro is ready to join the big leagues. He showed it in ST and has shown it in the minors. I don't think he can really develop any more down there. He has maxed out the development he could get in the minors.

 

Please explain how he's maxed out in development in the minors. That's ridiculous.

 

Because he is hitting over .400 in three weeks of AA ball. Come on it's obvious.

[CubsWin]

If he were called up, would he do well? Probably. But that doesn't mean he has nothing left to learn. Plate discipline, pitch recognition, drawing walks, situational hitting, continuing to refine his fielding and throwing accuracy are likely all on the list of things needing improvement.

[Splendid Splinter]

This feels like the debate over bringing up "Downtown" in Major League 3.

 

You want me to bunt and move the guy to scoring position??? No... I want you to go Downtown.

 

If only they make Major League 4 now... hahahaha

[chasinf5s]

http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/889/castro-could-be-joining-cubs-at-any-point

 

Take this with a grain of salt......

[Keener98]

http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/889/castro-could-be-joining-cubs-at-any-point

 

Take this with a grain of salt......

 

That article has a bunch of words with saying absolutely nothing. It basically says, "Hey Cubs fans, the organizations top prospect is doing well in AA. He may be be called up to Chicago really soon, but then again he may not be, nobody knows. The people whos jobs it is to over see these things, are doing that, so stay tuned, but we don't know for how long."

[chasinf5s]

http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/889/castro-could-be-joining-cubs-at-any-point

 

Take this with a grain of salt......

 

That article has a bunch of words with saying absolutely nothing. It basically says, "Hey Cubs fans, the organizations top prospect is doing well in AA. He may be be called up to Chicago really soon, but then again he may not be, nobody knows. The people whos jobs it is to over see these things, are doing that, so stay tuned, but we don't know for how long."

 

thus, the take it with a grain of salt comment

[Cubswin11]

http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/889/castro-could-be-joining-cubs-at-any-point

 

Take this with a grain of salt......

:-k I am not all that shocked they are thinking of bringing him up (if true). What is more interesting to me, is what is the counter move? Does Fontenot have minor league options? Are they working on trading one of Theriot (least likely)/Fontenot/Baker? I don't approve of bringing up Castro at any point this year for many reasons, but partly because of the poor job Lou has done with young position players over his time here (sporadic playing time, not showing much patience, etc.).

[chasinf5s]

http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/889/castro-could-be-joining-cubs-at-any-point

 

Take this with a grain of salt......

:-k I am not all that shocked they are thinking of bringing him up (if true). What is more interesting to me, is what is the counter move? Does Fontenot have minor league options? Are they working on trading one of Theriot (least likely)/Fontenot/Baker? I don't approve of bringing up Castro at any point this year for many reasons, but partly because of the poor job Lou has done with young position players over his time here (sporadic playing time, not showing must patience, etc.).

 

I wouldnt be shocked if Tracy is DFA'd

[Keener98]

http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/889/castro-could-be-joining-cubs-at-any-point

 

Take this with a grain of salt......

 

That article has a bunch of words with saying absolutely nothing. It basically says, "Hey Cubs fans, the organizations top prospect is doing well in AA. He may be be called up to Chicago really soon, but then again he may not be, nobody knows. The people whos jobs it is to over see these things, are doing that, so stay tuned, but we don't know for how long."

 

thus, the take it with a grain of salt comment

 

Yea my post wasn't meant really towards you, just mainly towards wtf is the point of that article. It says nothing

[TruffleShuffle]

It says nothing

 

so pretty much the same as every bruce levine article.

[E.J.]

It says nothing

 

so pretty much the same as every bruce levine article.

 

Bruce Levine writes?

[jersey cubs fan]

It says nothing

 

so pretty much the same as every bruce levine article.

 

Bruce Levine writes?

 

I guess technically he types, or maybe he dictates, or possibly even uses one of those voice recognition software thingamajigs. Although with his lisp that would probably be difficult.

[Old Style]

Everyone's favorite GM says Castro will be called up this season.

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/news/story?id=5151610

[dew1679666265]

Everyone's favorite GM says Castro will be called up this season.

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/news/story?id=5151610

 

Not a surprise. I think it was pretty much a sure thing he was at least going to be a September call-up.

[Wilson A2000]

Tell that to the Braves last year who held back Tommy Hanson and were close to getting in the playoffs. They didn't make the same mistake with Heyward this year.

 

tommy hanson turned 23 in august last year and had 2 years of full-season ball under his belt, including spending most of the previous year at AA. starlin castro just turned 20 a month ago and has played only 1 year of full-season ball, most of which was spent in A ball. hanson starting the year in AAA was in large part a financial decision; starting castro in AA has a lot more to do with not rushing the player and hurting his development.

 

Yes but it seems to be that Castro is ready to join the big leagues. He showed it in ST and has shown it in the minors. I don't think he can really develop any more down there. He has maxed out the development he could get in the minors.

 

Please explain how he's maxed out in development in the minors. That's ridiculous.

 

The point is that having Castro in the big leages makes the Cubs better. Is he just one game better? Maybe, but it is the GMs responsibility to make every move that he can to bring a team closer to a World Series (within financial reason).

[inari]

Tell that to the Braves last year who held back Tommy Hanson and were close to getting in the playoffs. They didn't make the same mistake with Heyward this year.

 

tommy hanson turned 23 in august last year and had 2 years of full-season ball under his belt, including spending most of the previous year at AA. starlin castro just turned 20 a month ago and has played only 1 year of full-season ball, most of which was spent in A ball. hanson starting the year in AAA was in large part a financial decision; starting castro in AA has a lot more to do with not rushing the player and hurting his development.

 

Yes but it seems to be that Castro is ready to join the big leagues. He showed it in ST and has shown it in the minors. I don't think he can really develop any more down there. He has maxed out the development he could get in the minors.

 

Please explain how he's maxed out in development in the minors. That's ridiculous.

 

The point is that having Castro in the big leages makes the Cubs better. Is he just one game better? Maybe, but it is the GMs responsibility to make every move that he can to bring a team closer to a World Series (within financial reason).

 

So... you regret the maxed out thing, right?

[CubColtPacer]

Tell that to the Braves last year who held back Tommy Hanson and were close to getting in the playoffs. They didn't make the same mistake with Heyward this year.

 

tommy hanson turned 23 in august last year and had 2 years of full-season ball under his belt, including spending most of the previous year at AA. starlin castro just turned 20 a month ago and has played only 1 year of full-season ball, most of which was spent in A ball. hanson starting the year in AAA was in large part a financial decision; starting castro in AA has a lot more to do with not rushing the player and hurting his development.

 

Yes but it seems to be that Castro is ready to join the big leagues. He showed it in ST and has shown it in the minors. I don't think he can really develop any more down there. He has maxed out the development he could get in the minors.

 

Please explain how he's maxed out in development in the minors. That's ridiculous.

 

The point is that having Castro in the big leages makes the Cubs better. Is he just one game better? Maybe, but it is the GMs responsibility to make every move that he can to bring a team closer to a World Series (within financial reason).

 

That isn't really true. There are lots of things that could make the team better this year. Hendry could trade prospects for improvements on the offense/bullpen. He could bring up players like Cashner/Jackson for the bullpen. He could bring up Castro. All of those would likely improve the 2010 team.

 

But a GM has to balance this year versus future years. For example, is Castro going to perform enough in May to be worth paying millions of extra dollars to him in a couple years when he is a Super 2? Will the Cubs be so concerned about 2010 that they'll stop giving him at-bats if he struggles? Is Castro likely to be overwhelmed by the jump in leagues? (which this one is more likely to be no with his history).

 

Does Castro provide enough of a boost this year to overcome these questions? It's just not as simple as deciding if he's better than somebody currently on the major league roster. Maybe it would be that simple for a future bench/bullpen guy, but not somebody who you hope to be an important part of your team for years to come. There are financial and developmental ramifications that make it that the team needs to be absolutely sure before they make that move.

[shnsajax]

Tell that to the Braves last year who held back Tommy Hanson and were close to getting in the playoffs. They didn't make the same mistake with Heyward this year.

 

tommy hanson turned 23 in august last year and had 2 years of full-season ball under his belt, including spending most of the previous year at AA. starlin castro just turned 20 a month ago and has played only 1 year of full-season ball, most of which was spent in A ball. hanson starting the year in AAA was in large part a financial decision; starting castro in AA has a lot more to do with not rushing the player and hurting his development.

 

Yes but it seems to be that Castro is ready to join the big leagues. He showed it in ST and has shown it in the minors. I don't think he can really develop any more down there. He has maxed out the development he could get in the minors.

 

Please explain how he's maxed out in development in the minors. That's ridiculous.

 

The point is that having Castro in the big leages makes the Cubs better. Is he just one game better? Maybe, but it is the GMs responsibility to make every move that he can to bring a team closer to a World Series (within financial reason).

 

Mark Prior 2003

[Little Slide Rooter]

While Im excited as anyone about Castro, despite his recent mini slump, I really dont see him as a Ryan Braun or Jason Heyward type of player whose going to come in and make an immediate impact. Plus, Theriot and Fontenot have been 2 of our best hitters as of late. Id assume that if Castro comes up, Theriot moves to 2B and Font to the bench. If Castro syats hot, and either Theriot or Fontenot fall off, then maybe bring him up. for now, Id say send him to Iowa for now and see what happens. Right now, the guys struggling are the 3 and 4 hitters(althouhg Lee did show some signs of life today), and even if Castro is brought up now, hes probably a 7 or 8 hitter, and weve been getting decent production from those spots as it is. If I thought that Castro was the type of prospect that could come up and immediately make an impact, then by all means, but I just dont see it just yet.

[Wilson A2000]

Does Castro provide enough of a boost this year to overcome these questions? It's just not as simple as deciding if he's better than somebody currently on the major league roster. Maybe it would be that simple for a future bench/bullpen guy, but not somebody who you hope to be an important part of your team for years to come. There are financial and developmental ramifications that make it that the team needs to be absolutely sure before they make that move.

 

The Cubs window for winning a championship is shrinking very quickly. Soriano, Lee, Ramirez's careers are all beginning to decline. The farm system is not stocked and there are not enough prospects to recover the loss these guys will leave behind. The days of $120 million dollar payrolls are over with Ricketts. That means you have to develop your own talent which the Cubs can't do very well. Screw the future, especially when you haven't won a WS in over 100 years.

 

Castro can improve more, but only in the bigs. He cannot develop anymore in the minors. He has seen enough.

[imb]

there is absolutely no reason to debate this with someone that thinks a 20-year old can't learn anything else in the minors. that's so lolworthy i can barely stand it.

[17 Seconds]

Tell that to the Braves last year who held back Tommy Hanson and were close to getting in the playoffs. They didn't make the same mistake with Heyward this year.

 

tommy hanson turned 23 in august last year and had 2 years of full-season ball under his belt, including spending most of the previous year at AA. starlin castro just turned 20 a month ago and has played only 1 year of full-season ball, most of which was spent in A ball. hanson starting the year in AAA was in large part a financial decision; starting castro in AA has a lot more to do with not rushing the player and hurting his development.

 

Yes but it seems to be that Castro is ready to join the big leagues. He showed it in ST and has shown it in the minors. I don't think he can really develop any more down there. He has maxed out the development he could get in the minors.

 

Please explain how he's maxed out in development in the minors. That's ridiculous.

 

The point is that having Castro in the big leages makes the Cubs better.

 

how do you know that?