Starlin Castro who is 19 years old is on a fast track to the majors. Castro is a SS is said to be an above defender with an above arm according to multiple scouts. A scout called him a younger version of Florida Marlins star SS Hanley Ramirez with less power. You will see more of him for the next month as he receive a non-roster invitation to spring training.
He was playing ball all winter in the Arizona Fall League and Domincan Winter League.
In the AFL he had a .376 batting average that led all players with 1hr (he hit that when the Cubs coaching staff came to watch him) and 10rbi in 101 at-bats. He also played in the rising star game.
In the DWL, he slowed down by only hitting .182 with 0hr and 2rbi in 22 at-bats.
In 2009 Castro started in High A Daytona and was moved up to Double A Tennessee for the Cubs and now has a chance to make the club out of spring training before even playing in Triple A Iowa.
Castro batted .302 with 3hr and 35 rbi in 358 at-bats for Daytona Cubs in2009.
Castro batted .288 with 0hr and 14rbi in 111 at-bats for Tennessee Cubs in 2009.
Where Castro lists in the Cubs top prospect list and in the whole major league:
John Sickels lists Starlin Castro has number 1 prospect in the Cubs system.
Baseball Prospectus Kevin Goldstein has Starlin Castro rank 2nd behind Josh Vitters in the Cubs system.
Keith Law of ESPN.com ranks Starlin Castro number 12 of every player in the minor leagues.
Scout.com has Starlin Castro number 22 of all position players in the minor league systems. Josh Vitters is rank number 11 who is another Cubs top prospect.
Baseball America has Starlin Castro rank number 1 in the Cubs system.
So as you can see, the Cubs pretty much have 2 top prospects according to reports. But Castro is the one that has a chance to make the team out of spring training.
Lou Pinella said that Castro will most likely make the team out of spring training unless starting SS Ryan Theriot gets injure. But on the other hand, Pinella has been really impress by how Castro has done so far in camp. According to multiple reports, they say Castro will hit the Cubs some time in the 2010 season. Most are predicting after the half way point (all-star game). Pinella also said id Theriot gets injure he will be the first person to take over his spot.
I just can't wait to see this kid play in about a week in spring training. I want this kid to make it out of spring training but that is unlikely. When Castro does in fact come up, Theriot will be move to 2nd while Castro takes over his spot at SS. That will be awesome news because Theriot does not have the range or arm to play SS while Castro does. I just can't wait for him to be on the big league club.
So when will we see him, out of spring training or at the half way point?
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Ted Lilly Could miss a Month Now...
With 2 setbacks since Pitchers and Catchers met a little over a week ago, pitcher Ted Lilly could miss up to a month to start the season. He was said to be ahead of schedule but with his week of illness put him behind pace.
Lou Pinella chimes in a little on Lilly's recent setback: "We weren't going to push him anyway. He came out here and got a little throwing in yesterday. I really haven't pressed Larry for any details. He's going to miss the first two weeks. Probably the first month of the season."
Ted Lilly heard what Pinella said and did not argue, he pretty much agree with what Lou said.
Ted Lilly will most likely start the season on the 15 day DL. The Cubs do have replacements in house to replace him. Jeff Samardzija, Sean Marshall, Tom Gorzelanny, Carlos Silva and maybe players that played in minors last year could bloom and make a start.
I think it is good for the Cubs to take there time on him because it is in the beginning of the season and when he returns there is lots more baseball to play.
I will keep you posted.
Lou Pinella chimes in a little on Lilly's recent setback: "We weren't going to push him anyway. He came out here and got a little throwing in yesterday. I really haven't pressed Larry for any details. He's going to miss the first two weeks. Probably the first month of the season."
Ted Lilly heard what Pinella said and did not argue, he pretty much agree with what Lou said.
Ted Lilly will most likely start the season on the 15 day DL. The Cubs do have replacements in house to replace him. Jeff Samardzija, Sean Marshall, Tom Gorzelanny, Carlos Silva and maybe players that played in minors last year could bloom and make a start.
I think it is good for the Cubs to take there time on him because it is in the beginning of the season and when he returns there is lots more baseball to play.
I will keep you posted.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Lilly, Frasor and Gregerson...
According to multiple reports, Ted Lilly is behind schedule now after dealing with a 103 fever. He has not practice for 4 days and that has make him fall down. This is not good news.
Bruce Levine keeps reporting that the Cubs keep talking to the Blue Jays about RP Jason Frazor and the Padres about Luke Gregerson. Why can't the Cubs just trade for one of them and we stop hearing about these 2 names.
Slow day but will have updates from camp.
Bruce Levine keeps reporting that the Cubs keep talking to the Blue Jays about RP Jason Frazor and the Padres about Luke Gregerson. Why can't the Cubs just trade for one of them and we stop hearing about these 2 names.
Slow day but will have updates from camp.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
News at Camp...
Heres the latest:
SS Ryan Theriot took a fastball off the wrist on live batting practice. Rafael Doris is the one who hit him and he does got a good fastball. Trainers look at him and said he will be find. Just hope for the best.
RP Angel Guzman has been shutdown for a couple of days with shoulder disconfort. He will be reevaluated in those couple of days but says he still will be ready by opening day still. Hope for the best like Theriot.
According to Lou, Carlos Zambrano is likely to start opening day again. No surprise there.
SS Ryan Theriot took a fastball off the wrist on live batting practice. Rafael Doris is the one who hit him and he does got a good fastball. Trainers look at him and said he will be find. Just hope for the best.
RP Angel Guzman has been shutdown for a couple of days with shoulder disconfort. He will be reevaluated in those couple of days but says he still will be ready by opening day still. Hope for the best like Theriot.
According to Lou, Carlos Zambrano is likely to start opening day again. No surprise there.
The Cubs are still looking for a veteran RP and still like Jason Frasor and Luke Gregerson. Also they would only add a RP and nothing else. How long are we goign to hear this.
Thats for now but more to come from camp.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Lou Pinella Notes...
Here is the latest from Pinella:
Pinella said he does not have a twitter count because he is not a twitter guy. He probably does not know how to use Twitter, lol.
He also said that Theriot will not see time at 2B in spring training but will play only SS. I do not get that at all.
Pinella is impress with Castro so far at camp. I hope he keeps it up.
He also said Fontenot will get time at SS so he can be a backup plan in case. Not really a big deal to me.
He mention about a week ago that it is unlikely Castro makes the team out of spring training. Everone has said that but I disagree.
I will keep you posted.
Pinella said he does not have a twitter count because he is not a twitter guy. He probably does not know how to use Twitter, lol.
He also said that Theriot will not see time at 2B in spring training but will play only SS. I do not get that at all.
Pinella is impress with Castro so far at camp. I hope he keeps it up.
He also said Fontenot will get time at SS so he can be a backup plan in case. Not really a big deal to me.
He mention about a week ago that it is unlikely Castro makes the team out of spring training. Everone has said that but I disagree.
I will keep you posted.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez News...
Derrek Lee said he would like to remain a Cub and would like to sign a extension vyt will not like to tak in season about a extension. Here is wat MLBTR had on it:
"Like many players entering contract years, Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee would prefer not to negotiate during the season. He told ESPN's Bruce Levine that he is open to discussing an extension, but he won't be approaching the team.
Lee, 34, bounced back to a .306/.393/.579 line last year. He's finishing a five-year, $65MM extension signed after his career-best '05 season. If he reaches free agency, Lee projects to join a first base class that might include Lance Berkman, Adam Dunn, Paul Konerko, Adam LaRoche, and Carlos Pena. Lee seems likely to get a two or three-year deal worth more than $10MM per, but much rests on his 2010 production." I say the Cubs do sign Lee to a 3 year extension worth around 20 million before regular season starts.
Could Aramis Ramirez opt out at the end of the 2010 season? He told Paul Sullivan that he won't think about the cause until after the season. Here is waht MLBTR had on it:
"The Cubs will face uncertainty at the infield corners after the 2010 season. We discussed first baseman Derrek Lee earlier today. Now let's take a look at Aramis Ramirez's situation.
Ramirez faces a $14.6MM player option for 2011. He also has a mutual option for 2012 at $16MM, with a $2MM buyout attached. If the club exercises the '12 option and Ramirez declines, he forfeits the buyout. There are also circumstances under which the '12 option can vest. Basically, if he exercises his player option for '11, Ramirez will earn either $16.6MM for one year or $30.6MM for two.
Ramirez, who turns 32 during the season, has consistently raked in his Cubs career. He has had his share of DL trips, with last year's shoulder injury limiting him to 82 games. Even with a big 2010, Ramirez probably can't earn more than $15-16MM per year. It is possible, though, that the free agent market would offer a three or four-year guarantee. Ramirez told Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune he won't think about his opt-out clause until after the season. A year ago, Ramirez said he wanted to finish his career with the Cubs.
Heading into the '06 season, Ramirez was in a similar situation. He had the opportunity to void his contract after the season and leave three years/$33.5MM on the table. He did so in October, but a month later signed a below-market five-year, $75MM deal to remain with the Cubs."
I think Ramirex will end his career as a Cubs and not opt out. I think there will be an extension from a year no, next spring training.
I will keep you posted.
"Like many players entering contract years, Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee would prefer not to negotiate during the season. He told ESPN's Bruce Levine that he is open to discussing an extension, but he won't be approaching the team.
Lee, 34, bounced back to a .306/.393/.579 line last year. He's finishing a five-year, $65MM extension signed after his career-best '05 season. If he reaches free agency, Lee projects to join a first base class that might include Lance Berkman, Adam Dunn, Paul Konerko, Adam LaRoche, and Carlos Pena. Lee seems likely to get a two or three-year deal worth more than $10MM per, but much rests on his 2010 production." I say the Cubs do sign Lee to a 3 year extension worth around 20 million before regular season starts.
Could Aramis Ramirez opt out at the end of the 2010 season? He told Paul Sullivan that he won't think about the cause until after the season. Here is waht MLBTR had on it:
"The Cubs will face uncertainty at the infield corners after the 2010 season. We discussed first baseman Derrek Lee earlier today. Now let's take a look at Aramis Ramirez's situation.
Ramirez faces a $14.6MM player option for 2011. He also has a mutual option for 2012 at $16MM, with a $2MM buyout attached. If the club exercises the '12 option and Ramirez declines, he forfeits the buyout. There are also circumstances under which the '12 option can vest. Basically, if he exercises his player option for '11, Ramirez will earn either $16.6MM for one year or $30.6MM for two.
Ramirez, who turns 32 during the season, has consistently raked in his Cubs career. He has had his share of DL trips, with last year's shoulder injury limiting him to 82 games. Even with a big 2010, Ramirez probably can't earn more than $15-16MM per year. It is possible, though, that the free agent market would offer a three or four-year guarantee. Ramirez told Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune he won't think about his opt-out clause until after the season. A year ago, Ramirez said he wanted to finish his career with the Cubs.
Heading into the '06 season, Ramirez was in a similar situation. He had the opportunity to void his contract after the season and leave three years/$33.5MM on the table. He did so in October, but a month later signed a below-market five-year, $75MM deal to remain with the Cubs."
I think Ramirex will end his career as a Cubs and not opt out. I think there will be an extension from a year no, next spring training.
I will keep you posted.
Monday, February 22, 2010
News from Camp as all players should be there...
Here is the latest from camp as positions players meet today:
Alfonso Soriano said he is not 100% healthy yet but said he has not tryed to work on knee yet. He is recovering from offseason knee surgery. Soriano reported to camp in early morning today.
Pinella said that some of our young kids can swing the bat. He mention former 1st round pick Josh Vitters and last year first round pick Brett Jackson.
Angel Guzman is more motivated this year than last year because of the recent death of his brother who was shot an killed in a drive buy.
Jeff Stevens is on the short list of relief pitchers to make the bullpen out of spring training.
New owner Tom Ricketts is expected to be in Mesa the whole time for spring training.
The first full workout for all players will be on Tuesday but everyone is suppost to be there today.
The only 3 players I have not heard to be in camp yet is 1B Derrek Lee, 3B Aramis Ramirez and 19 year old Starlin Castro but all could be there but have not seen anything on the computer of being there. I will update if it is reported that they are there.
I will keep you posted.
Alfonso Soriano said he is not 100% healthy yet but said he has not tryed to work on knee yet. He is recovering from offseason knee surgery. Soriano reported to camp in early morning today.
Pinella said that some of our young kids can swing the bat. He mention former 1st round pick Josh Vitters and last year first round pick Brett Jackson.
Angel Guzman is more motivated this year than last year because of the recent death of his brother who was shot an killed in a drive buy.
Jeff Stevens is on the short list of relief pitchers to make the bullpen out of spring training.
New owner Tom Ricketts is expected to be in Mesa the whole time for spring training.
The first full workout for all players will be on Tuesday but everyone is suppost to be there today.
The only 3 players I have not heard to be in camp yet is 1B Derrek Lee, 3B Aramis Ramirez and 19 year old Starlin Castro but all could be there but have not seen anything on the computer of being there. I will update if it is reported that they are there.
I will keep you posted.
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