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#Post#: 216593--------------------------------------------------
Re: Today's Game 2015 (04/15 - 08/15)
DIR By: CurtOne
Date: April 7, 2015, 10:21 am
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JR nails the core problem. Castro has never taken charge. He's
too busy worrying about his responsibilities to worry about
everyone else. Russell seems to have some of the leadership
qualities.
If we end up trading Castro, I hope we get some great stuff
back. If we don't I think he'll be an all star 2B for many
years.
#Post#: 216594--------------------------------------------------
Re: Today's Game 2015 (04/15 - 08/15)
DIR By: JR
Date: April 7, 2015, 10:25 am
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--- Quote from: brjones link ---
>
> Yeah, Castro could have made more of an effort on the ball
into CF. But still, Ross made the bad throw--it's his error.
And I felt like La Stella was just jogging to get in to position
to back it up (haven't watched a replay, though, so I can't be
sure on that), so I'm not sure Castro was the only middle
infielder who played that poorly. To put that play entirely on
Castro is just silly. And the "death stare" comment is
laughable--that was ESPN/scouts seeing what they wanted to see.
>
--- End Quote ---
Yeah I didn't see the death stare either.
Castro may not have been the only guy to play it poorly, but
fairly/unfairly, Castro gets more of the attention for it
because he's the shortstop and because of the hype/potential he
had coming up. A guy like Olney probably sees Derek Jeter as
your archetype shortstop, where he's the leader of the infield,
captain of the team, etc. La Stella may have played it poorly
himself, but Castro gets more blame since he's the shortstop and
the veteran of the group.
Castro's not going to be Derek Jeter, though, either with the
bat or with his intangibles. At this point, you either have to
live with it or you hope someone like Russell comes up and has
more of those intangible qualities to him, and Castro can move
to a position and a role on the team where he's not expected to
be Jeter-Lite.
#Post#: 216595--------------------------------------------------
Re: Today's Game 2015 (04/15 - 08/15)
DIR By: Ron
Date: April 7, 2015, 10:28 am
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Agree that the criticism of Castro on the pop fly was at least
too severe, if not simply unfair. I also agree that he deserves
criticism for failing to block Ross' throw and that this is
probably a pretty consistent failure on his part. Reb has
observed that in spite of Castro's considerable natural
abilities, he doesn't have very good instincts defensively,
particularly around 2B.
I like Castro and think he does not deserve as much criticism as
he tends to get. But that said, if Russell is nearly as good as
everyone says, it's hard to imagine Castro being SS for the Cubs
once Russell gets his major league legs under him. Baez may or
may not occupy a middle infield position for the Cubs in the
near future, but I imagine Castro's future is either with
another team or at 3B or 2B if he remains with the Cubs.
#Post#: 216605--------------------------------------------------
Re: Today's Game 2015 (04/15 - 08/15)
DIR By: StrikeZone
Date: April 7, 2015, 11:36 am
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One thing on Castro, on tag plays at second, he tends to try and
get the ball, THEN tag the runner instead of letting the ball
get to him.
On the play in question, it looked to me like he tried to snatch
the throw on the hop and that's what led to it skipping past
him.
There's no doubt the throw was for sh!t but Castro has to make a
better effort to knock it down there.
La Stella also has to be in better position to back him up
behind the bag.
I think Ross was just p!ssed at himself more than anything that
he spiked that throw.
One of the things that I noticed last year when Javy Baez was
playing 2B/SS was that his work around the bag on tag plays was
much, much better than Castro's. He waited for the ball to get
to the glove instead of trying to go get it. He understands
that the ball will get to him faster than he can glove it and
tag a sliding runner. That's where his superior instincts come
into play over Castro. You can really see it in those plays in
contrast to Starlin. Javy really hangs in there, for lack of a
better term, and waits on that throw until the last second
before he makes a move toward the ball.
#Post#: 216606--------------------------------------------------
Re: Today's Game 2015 (04/15 - 08/15)
DIR By: Playtwo
Date: April 7, 2015, 11:41 am
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Speaking from experience, when you make a bad throw to a base
you forfeit the right to be upset at your teammate for not
catching or blocking it.
#Post#: 216609--------------------------------------------------
Re: Today's Game 2015 (04/15 - 08/15)
DIR By: StrikeZone
Date: April 7, 2015, 11:43 am
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: Playtwo link ---
>
> Speaking from experience, when you make a bad throw to a base
you forfeit the right to be upset at your teammate for not
catching or blocking it.
>
--- End Quote ---
Word.
#Post#: 216610--------------------------------------------------
Re: Today's Game 2015 (04/15 - 08/15)
DIR By: Ron
Date: April 7, 2015, 11:47 am
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: StrikeZone link ---
>
> One thing on Castro, on tag plays at second, he tends to try
and get the ball, THEN tag the runner instead of letting the
ball get to him.
>
> On the play in question, it looked to me like he tried to
snatch the throw on the hop and that's what led to it skipping
past him.
>
> There's no doubt the throw was for sh!t but Castro has to make
a better effort to knock it down there.
>
> La Stella also has to be in better position to back him up
behind the bag.
>
> I think Ross was just p!ssed at himself more than anything
that he spiked that throw.
>
> One of the things that I noticed last year when Javy Baez was
playing 2B/SS was that his work around the bag on tag plays was
much, much better than Castro's. He waited for the ball to get
to the glove instead of trying to go get it. He understands
that the ball will get to him faster than he can glove it and
tag a sliding runner. That's where his superior instincts come
into play over Castro. You can really see it in those plays in
contrast to Starlin. Javy really hangs in there, for lack of a
better term, and waits on that throw until the last second
before he makes a move toward the ball.
>
--- End Quote ---
Well said - agree with all of this.
#Post#: 216612--------------------------------------------------
Re: Today's Game 2015 (04/15 - 08/15)
DIR By: DelMarFan
Date: April 7, 2015, 11:57 am
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So, probably too much criticism of Castro, but I want my
shortstop to be able to cover for a weak-fielding left fielder.
We all know Coghlan is a butcher. Why doesn't he? Dunston
makes that play. Pretty sure Baez makes that play. I want my
shortstop to make that play.
BR, you've noted lots of stolen base throws making into center
field. How many of those are on Castro because he probably
should have stopped them?
He's a good player. I'm glad the Cubs have him, but I'll stick
with my assessment that I'm looking forward to someone else
playing short.
#Post#: 216614--------------------------------------------------
Re: Today's Game 2015 (04/15 - 08/15)
DIR By: Playtwo
Date: April 7, 2015, 12:03 pm
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Russell is very close to ML ready, if he isn't already. I
expect him to get an extended audition in September (if not
sooner), and for Castro to be traded during the offseason (if
not sooner).
#Post#: 216615--------------------------------------------------
Re: Today's Game 2015 (04/15 - 08/15)
DIR By: DelMarFan
Date: April 7, 2015, 12:04 pm
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--- Quote ---
> I expect him to get an extended audition in September (if not
sooner), and for Castro to be traded during the offseason (if
not sooner).
--- End Quote ---
Yes.
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