Re: Starlin Castro promoted (!)

[KaiserCesar]

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/37017632/ns/sports-player_news/

 

Stumbled upon this as I was looking up his most recent stats. Interesting move, smells of desperation. Right now I can't find a second source on this.

 

Enrique Rojas of ESPN Deportes reports that the Cubs have called up prospect shortstop Starlin Castro.

According to Rojas, Castro is en route to meet the club for this weekend's series against the Reds. If true, it represents a surprising change of pace for the club, as Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said Castro was not in line for an early-season promotion as recently as last week. Castro, 20, is batting .376/.421/.569 with one home run, 20 RBI and 20 runs scored over 109 at-bats with Double-A Tennessee. He was ranked as the organization's No. 1 prospect by Baseball America over the winter. His promotion would push Ryan Theriot to second base.

Edited May 7, 2010 by KaiserCesar

[ctcf]

Nononononononononononononononono Edited May 7, 2010 by ctcf

[UMFan83]

Nice find.

 

I don't know if this is rushing him or whatever, but at least this gives me something to look forward to with Cubs games for awhile. I have had a hard time watching them for more than a few minutes lately.

 

Good luck Starlin!

[YearofDaCubs]

This could have been avoided if we signed Kelly Johnson when he was let go by the Braves. Talk about a panic move.

[KaiserCesar]

So, basically we are swapping Fontebaker with Castro? I don't see how this improves the team unless Castro somehow replicates his #s through 100 ABs in AA. Could we see a Baker release and then a Fontenot/Theriot platoon now?

[UMFan83]

This could have been avoided if we signed Kelly Johnson when he was let go by the Braves. Talk about a panic move.

 

I don't think anyone could have predicted that Kelly Johnson would put up the numbers he's put up so far.

[jersey cubs fan]

ouch

 

Is he going to play third?

[soapy]

Wow. Not sure I agree with this but good luck, Starlin.

 

Tracy out?

[YearofDaCubs]

This could have been avoided if we signed Kelly Johnson when he was let go by the Braves. Talk about a panic move.

 

I don't think anyone could have predicted that Kelly Johnson would put up the numbers he's put up so far.

No but everyone predicted he would have been better than Fontenot and Baker.

[CubColtPacer]

So, basically we are swapping Fontebaker with Castro? I don't see how this improves the team unless Castro somehow replicates his #s through 100 ABs in AA. Could we see a Baker release and then a Fontenot/Theriot platoon now?

 

I doubt we'll see a Baker release (more likely to be Tracy IMO if they're going to release somebody) and I doubt you see a Fontenot/Theriot platoon either. They probably see Fontenot and Theriot as close enough against right-handers (which might be true if the Fontenot of a couple of years ago doesn't make an appearance) that there's no reason to start the player who has to be pulled from the game when a left-handed reliever comes in. Theriot would be the full-time starter with Fontenot getting the occasional start.

 

As for Castro, if true the Cubs better give him the time he deserves. If they do that and are patient, then the only reason I don't like this move is that they could have waited a month and not made him a Super 2. I'm not worried much about Castro being overwhelmed by the league and not being able to make adjustments, but those adjustments will take time and the Cubs have to be committed to him for a while now.

[KaiserCesar]

Wow. Not sure I agree with this but good luck, Starlin.

 

Tracy out?

 

My guess is Baker. Tracy bats left handed and second base just got really crowded with the Riot moving over (presumably).

[soapy]

ouch

 

Is he going to play third?

 

I'm not sure how he's going to give the team a boost other than some crazy notion of "providing a spark". The problems in this lineup right now are 1B and 3B, which Castro won't play. Well, it looks like Fontenot and Baker are stuggling even more than I thought lately.

 

I'm excited to see the kid play but definitely a little concerned about rushing him.

[tfarks]

Well you knew the Cubs would be too impatient with the club losing. Can't act surprised.

 

Hopefully he adjusts quickly. The games will undoubtedly be more exciting.

[Prizefight]

Where's he going to hit?? Think Lou will put him down at 7th/8th for a bit until he gets his feet wet or start him in the 1 or 2 spot?

[soapy]

Wow. Not sure I agree with this but good luck, Starlin.

 

Tracy out?

 

My guess is Baker. Tracy bats left handed and second base just got really crowded with the Riot moving over (presumably).

 

Maybe, but Fontenot is left-handed and can (technically) play 3B also.

[KaiserCesar]

Where's he going to hit?? Think Lou will put him down at 7th/8th for a bit until he gets his feet wet or start him in the 1 or 2 spot?

 

Either 2 or 7 in front of Soto. Even though he has a great K rate, putting him 8 might not be the best idea.

[KaiserCesar]

Up on MLBTR now

 

ESPN's Enrique Rojas tweets that the Cubs have called up top shortstop prospect Starlin Castro. The 20-year-old was rated as the 16th best prospect in the game by Baseball America prior to the season, and was hitting .376/.421/.569 in 121 Double-A plate appearances. Chicago has already pushed his free agency back a year, but he can still qualify as a Super Two after 2012.

[woodchip2153]

I'm not surprised. I think it's a dumb move, but I'm excited to see what he does.

[RedFlash]

I don't have a problem with this as long as the Cubs know there is a chance that Castro could struggle. I like the injection of fresh blood into a team that looked really letharic against the Pirates. Personally I hope this means Tracy is gone, but I suspect that someone is being moved to the DL. Edited May 7, 2010 by RedFlash

[Sammy Sofa]

enjection

 

An injection using an engine? Hardcore.

 

Silly, desperate move by the Cubs.

[Sammy Sofa]

This could have been avoided if we signed Kelly Johnson when he was let go by the Braves. Talk about a panic move.

 

I don't think anyone could have predicted that Kelly Johnson would put up the numbers he's put up so far.

No but everyone predicted he would have been better than Fontenot and Baker.

 

Who is everyone? Kelly was horrible last year.

[scarey]

So, basically we are swapping Fontebaker with Castro? I don't see how this improves the team unless Castro somehow replicates his #s through 100 ABs in AA. Could we see a Baker release and then a Fontenot/Theriot platoon now?

 

I doubt we'll see a Baker release (more likely to be Tracy IMO if they're going to release somebody) and I doubt you see a Fontenot/Theriot platoon either. They probably see Fontenot and Theriot as close enough against right-handers (which might be true if the Fontenot of a couple of years ago doesn't make an appearance) that there's no reason to start the player who has to be pulled from the game when a left-handed reliever comes in. Theriot would be the full-time starter with Fontenot getting the occasional start.

 

As for Castro, if true the Cubs better give him the time he deserves. If they do that and are patient, then the only reason I don't like this move is that they could have waited a month and not made him a Super 2. I'm not worried much about Castro being overwhelmed by the league and not being able to make adjustments, but those adjustments will take time and the Cubs have to be committed to him for a while now.

 

 

He being called up right now does not qualify him or eliminate him from being a super 2. We won't know for two seasons assuming he stays up with the big league club for that entire time. Waiting another month also would not qualify him or eliminate him from being a super 2.

[shnsajax]

Still no official transactions being posted yet.

[soapy]

Upon further review: the Cubs are currently getting a line of .262/.310/.346 from 2B so I guess Castro is a decent bet to at least match that.

 

Play him (and be patient), Lou.

[Sammy Sofa]

Upon further review: the Cubs are currently getting a line of .262/.310/.346 from 2B so I guess Castro is a decent bet to at least match that.

 

There's a tremendously good chance that he doesn't in the first year.