| « Bulls Survive Pacers Again, Take 3-0 Lead | Sox Streak Ends as Offense Awakens » |
Cubs Fri Apr 22 2011
Castro Continues to Live Up to the Hype
Eighteen games into this young baseball season the Cubs are 9-9 and a half-game out of first place. Despite suffering a major blow to their starting rotation the Cubs have made the best of their situation by treading at or around .500. One of the biggest reasons they've managed to hold their heads above water is the play of shortstop Starlin Castro.
Less than a month past his 21st birthday, he's currently sporting a . 375 average with a .398 on-base percentage and is tied for the league lead in hits with 30. He already has six three-hit games this season.
It's early, but I am thoroughly convinced Castro is a superstar in the making.
One thing I like about Castro is his ability to hit to all fields -- a good thing because he lacks major home run power, although he is capable of taking one out every now and again. I would rather see him get clutch hits than swing for the fences every time up.
Early on the Cubs didn't have a definitive leadoff hitter, but Mike Quade's move to install Castro and Darwin Barney in the Nos. 1 and 2 spots in the order has paid off. I wasn't sure how Castro would take to the role as he wasn't really groomed as a leadoff guy, but it seems to be paying dividends thus far.
They even tried him in the No. 3 spot in Wednesday's doubleheader. Perhaps that will work, but he lacks the power that a No. 3 hitter should have. I expect to see him back at the top of the order come Friday afternoon. Especially since he's hitting .528 with 14 runs and a 1.331 OPS in eight games leading off.
Everything Castro has done so far has impressed me. It is only a matter of time before he will become an all-star. I'm willing to venture out and say he has the potential to become one this year, perhaps joining established stars Hanley Ramirez and Troy Tulowitzki as the NL shortstops. He's left little doubt in my mind that he's the real deal.
Rick A / April 22, 2011 11:15 AM
The Cubs really caught a bolt of lightening with this kid. I hope for the sake of all Cubskind that they hang onto him. Chicago can always use another hero.