Re: Wow Castro

[Guest]

I know 12 games is still a small sample size, but it's definitely an impressive stretch of time to maintain an OPS over .900. Regardless of the team's success, this season Castro and Marmol fooling hitters and umps are going to be fun to watch.

 

 

Fixed... Brett Jackson or McNutt or Vitters if they get called up would be fun to watch as well. Pena on a hot streak as well and Garza with his 14 H & K/9. Everyone else, well... ehhh

 

Yeah, who gives a [expletive] about that hack Soto or that lazy guy Aramis Ramirez.

 

I don't know about you, but I wish Aramis hustled more so he could break his arm being aggressive and be out 6-8 weeks like Josh Hamilton is.

[CubmanPi]

Fair enough. I guess I just draw a line between "front-runner/fair-weather fan" and "someone who follows his team and keeps a day-to-day knowledge of the goings on of said team but chooses to maintain enough of a distance to keep it from crossing the line from entertaining to significant negative impact on mood and on the people around you."

 

When I flew in from California for the weekend with tickets to game 4 of the Cubs-DBacks playoff series, I sat in the Cubbybear and watched game 3 erase the value of my tickets. I sat there so pissed (in both the American and European sense of the word) I couldn't see straight. I was even more pissed that the room was packed wall-to-wall with Cubs fans who had gotten over the game and managed to have a fun night in the city.

 

I decided that if it stops being fun, there's no point. I guess that makes me less of a fan.

 

In before thread split.

 

Total man crush on Castro.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

If you enjoy sanity, you're by definition not as big a fan.

 

I like to call myself a "supporter" anyway because it sounds Euro and douchey.

[Splendid Splinter]

Anybody seen this article yet???

 

http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/3874/castros-future-starting-to-look-rose-y

 

It talks about how his future looks promising basically... (like everyone doesn't know that already)

 

What's interesting is the very end of the article...

 

Since Quade moved Castro to the leadoff spot, he's 11-for-19 in four games. Although Castro has yet to hit a home run this season, his power stroke is there, according to one National League scout.

 

"He's getting bigger and stronger all of the time," the scout said. "A lot of baseball people think he'll track in a similar fashion to [Florida Marlins shortstop] Hanley Ramirez. "Ramirez didn't hit home runs until his second or third season in the big leagues. This kid might be the same way."

 

If Castro can hit for power like Hanley, then he's gonna be AWESOME and a yearly top 10 player in MLB. Also I don't know what the scout is talking about with Hanley's power. Hanley hit 46 doubles, 11 triples, and 17 HRs in his rookie year so he had power right off the bat in the majors. If he was talking about his years in the minors as well (it doesn't look like it in the quote), then I see what he's talking about (Hanley had 27 HRs thru age 21- 4 seasons in the minors).

 

Cubs hitting instructor Rudy Jaramillo has been working with Castro, trying to help him recognize a ball from a strike.

 

"Plate coverage is so good, he can foul off any pitch", Jaramillo said. "We're trying to get him to better identify a ball from a strike. One thing we aren't going to do is take away any of his aggressiveness."

 

Nice to see Rudy is working on plate discipline (as far as recognize balls and strikes) with Castro as that will help him see more pitches and draw more walks as that's about the only thing missing or lacking offensively. Isn't that pretty hard to do though if you don't take away any of his aggressiveness? I guess he could be Vlad where he drew a good amount of walks while being super aggressive and Tony Gwynn was on a whole another level hitting-wise (same with Ichiro, but he's a different type of hitter)...

[javy knows my name]

Nice to see Rudy is working on plate discipline (as far as recognize balls and strikes) with Castro as that will help him see more pitches and draw more walks as that's about the only thing missing or lacking offensively. Isn't that pretty hard to do though if you don't take away any of his aggressiveness? I guess he could be Vlad where he drew a good amount of walks while being super aggressive and Tony Gwynn was on a whole another level hitting-wise (same with Ichiro, but he's a different type of hitter)...

 

It's certainly not common, but that's how I would describe someone like Soto's game. He's a patient hitter, but really aggressive with anything in the zone. I would love Castro to force pitchers to stay in the zone more. He wouldn't need to hit a ton of homeruns to really rake if he could add a few more walks and make pitchers challenge him.

[imb]

Castro would hit .400 if pitchers knew he wasn't going to swing at balls

 

edit: pulled a Bum

[CubColtPacer]

Nice to see Rudy is working on plate discipline (as far as recognize balls and strikes) with Castro as that will help him see more pitches and draw more walks as that's about the only thing missing or lacking offensively. Isn't that pretty hard to do though if you don't take away any of his aggressiveness? I guess he could be Vlad where he drew a good amount of walks while being super aggressive and Tony Gwynn was on a whole another level hitting-wise (same with Ichiro, but he's a different type of hitter)...

 

It's certainly not common, but that's how I would describe someone like Soto's game. He's a patient hitter, but really aggressive with anything in the zone. I would love Castro to force pitchers to stay in the zone more. He wouldn't need to hit a ton of homeruns to really rake if he could add a few more walks and make pitchers challenge him.

 

Soto's not real aggressive even in the zone. Players like Ramirez, Byrd, Pena, Colvin all swing at a lot more pitches inside the strike zone. What is strange is that Castro is also below all those people at swinging at pitches in the strike zone. Castro has one of the highest percentages of any Cub at swinging pitches outside of the zone but watches more strikes than the average Cub.

[MembersOnlyJacket]

Castro's bat speed and control are incredible for his stage of development.

[JonJayCutler]

It's unlikely that Castro will ever hit 30+ HRs a season or steal 35+ bases, which is why Derek Jeter has been a more acceptable comparison.

 

Although I will say that Hanley played his first season in the majors when he was 22, hitting 17 HRs that year. Castro will be 22 next season, and I don't think it's THAT far-fetched if he was hitting 15-20 HRs by then. But 10-12 is probably more likely.

[Sammy Sofa]

Shhhh. You'll summon that guy.

[Backtobanks]

It's unlikely that Castro will ever hit 30+ HRs a season or steal 35+ bases, which is why Derek Jeter has been a more acceptable comparison.

 

Although I will say that Hanley played his first season in the majors when he was 22, hitting 17 HRs that year. Castro will be 22 next season, and I don't think it's THAT far-fetched if he was hitting 15-20 HRs by then. But 10-12 is probably more likely.

 

 

Unless he leads the league in hitting, it's going to be hard to make an ALL Star team with Tulo and HRam in the same league.

[Sammy Sofa]

Oh no.

[JimSorgi]

It's unlikely that Castro will ever hit 30+ HRs a season or steal 35+ bases, which is why Derek Jeter has been a more acceptable comparison.

 

Although I will say that Hanley played his first season in the majors when he was 22, hitting 17 HRs that year. Castro will be 22 next season, and I don't think it's THAT far-fetched if he was hitting 15-20 HRs by then. But 10-12 is probably more likely.

 

 

Unless he leads the league in hitting, it's going to be hard to make an ALL Star team with Tulo and HRam in the same league.

Well [expletive], there goes his value.

[rocket]

It's unlikely that Castro will ever hit 30+ HRs a season or steal 35+ bases, which is why Derek Jeter has been a more acceptable comparison.

 

Although I will say that Hanley played his first season in the majors when he was 22, hitting 17 HRs that year. Castro will be 22 next season, and I don't think it's THAT far-fetched if he was hitting 15-20 HRs by then. But 10-12 is probably more likely.

 

 

Unless he leads the league in hitting, it's going to be hard to make an ALL Star team with Tulo and HRam in the same league.

 

you underestimated the vance factor

[Rob]

It's unlikely that Castro will ever hit 30+ HRs a season or steal 35+ bases, which is why Derek Jeter has been a more acceptable comparison.

 

Although I will say that Hanley played his first season in the majors when he was 22, hitting 17 HRs that year. Castro will be 22 next season, and I don't think it's THAT far-fetched if he was hitting 15-20 HRs by then. But 10-12 is probably more likely.

 

 

Unless he leads the league in hitting, it's going to be hard to make an ALL Star team with Tulo and HRam in the same league.

 

you underestimated the vance factor

 

Don't say his name... he needs his rest before the ballot opens.

 

Then the beast awakens.

[UMFan83]

Random love from the fantasy world:

 

By year's end, Starlin Castro(notes) might just be a top-five shortstop. Exhibiting the batting acumen of a multi-time All-Star, he worked counts, fouled off borderline pitches and teed-off on favorable pitches en route to a 4-for-5 night in Colorado (HR, 2B, 3 RBI). Including Saturday's outburst, the 21-year-old has 12 hits over his past five games. The newly appointed lead-off man's power is still underdeveloped, but significant growth n three categories (BA, R and SB) should be expected. At this point, it's foreseeable his value will be equal to or better than reliable veterans Derek Jeter(notes) and Jimmy Rollins(notes). Once his 15-20 HR stroke arrives, he'll be a perennial early round pick.

[Soul]

Castro's my boy.

 

No really, I now consider him my boy.

[FloridaCubbie]

The youngest player in the majors is currently leading the league in hits.

[Guest]

I don't even know how to feel about a position prospect actually panning out into what looks like a potential superstar. Soto is good, but even he is the only decent one we've had turn up since Grace, which is ridiculously pathetic. Am I missing someone obvious?

 

Hee Seop did his best Adam Dunn (very) lite impression at the plate for a little while... Patterson had 1.5 good years, but nothing excitingly great.... and uhhhhhhhh....

[SouthSideRyan]

That little [expletive] Theriot had a year and half or so.

[Little Slide Rooter]

That little [expletive] Theriot had a year and half or so.

 

Theriots celing was David Eckstein. Castros is somewhere between Roberto Alomar, Hanley Ramirez, and Babe DiMaggio-Yaztremskie.

[SouthSideRyan]

That little [expletive] Theriot had a year and half or so.

 

Theriots celing was David Eckstein. Castros is somewhere between Roberto Alomar, Hanley Ramirez, and Babe DiMaggio-Yaztremskie.

 

Don't need to tell me that, I think he's going to be a hall of famer.

[Little Slide Rooter]

It's unlikely that Castro will ever hit 30+ HRs a season or steal 35+ bases, which is why Derek Jeter has been a more acceptable comparison.

 

Although I will say that Hanley played his first season in the majors when he was 22, hitting 17 HRs that year. Castro will be 22 next season, and I don't think it's THAT far-fetched if he was hitting 15-20 HRs by then. But 10-12 is probably more likely.

 

 

Unless he leads the league in hitting, it's going to be hard to make an ALL Star team with Tulo and HRam in the same league.

 

you underestimated the vance factor

 

Don't say his name... he needs his rest before the ballot opens.

 

Then the beast awakens.

 

Justafiable or not, I wouldnt be shocked if Castro beats those 2 in the ballots. As we learned in 2008, when Cubs fans are excited about a player(s), they tend to go nuts on the ballots. If nothing esle,, hed probably be the Cubs pity all star if it comes down to that.

[SouthSideRyan]

Did I miss the rule where you can't have more than 2 SS on an all-star team?

[UMFan83]

Did I miss the rule where you can't have more than 2 SS on an all-star team?

 

Not at all. I think there were 4 on the AL team a few years ago. I'm sure some other SS will emerge over the years but other than Tulo and Hanley, there are only 2 other SSs off the top of my head that legitimately can compete most years for an AS team in the NL and they are Reyes and Rollins. I'm sure I'm missing someone though

 

Braves - Alex Gonzalez? No.

Nationals - Ian Desmond?

Pirates - Ronny Cedeno?

Astros - Angel Sanchez?

Cardinals - Theriot? LOL

Reds - Paul Janish?

Brewers - Yuniesky Betancourt? HAHA

Dodgers - Jamey Carroll?

Diamondbacks - Stephen Drew?

Giants - Miguel Tejada?

Padres - Jason Bartlett?