NL Free Agent Supplemental - Starlin Castro

Starlin Castro - welcome to the National League. After a week filled with denials that Castro would be called up (see, e.g., these comments from Jim Hendry), Castro suddenly found himself starting and batting eighth. He became the youngest Cub to make a debut since Oscar Gamble in 1969 and the youngest shortstop to ever make his debut for the Cubs. Castro then promptly became the 105th player to hit a home run in his first major league AB, and the second this year (Jason Heyward being the other). Castro then made more history, becoming the only modern era player to have six or more RBI in his first major league game (Ben Grieve was the last to tie the record of five) with a bases clearing triple a couple of innings later. He did finally make a couple of outs, however, so he will not bat 1.000 for his career.

Trivia aside, what should we expect from Starlin Castro this year? Well, John Sickels thinks Castro is a B+ prospect. In the same breath, however, he also believes Castro is overhyped and, today, said out loud that Castro will struggle without some time in AAA.

Castro is in the league to stay, barring him being absolutely terrible at the plate or in the field. Lou  Piniella has displaced Ryan Theriot, moving him to second, and relegated Jeff Baker and Mike Fontenot to bench duty. Therefore, I am led to believe that Castro will play the rest of the way. At 19, Castro held his own at both high A and AA...his BB/K were ok, the slugging left something to be desired, but the .731 and .744 OPS were encouraging. This year? He hit the ball all over the place at AA, though his base running and his fielding both became sloppy.

Castro will steal enough bases to make him worthwhile. I am not concerned about his SB percentage this year at AA; honestly, I think he was being sloppy with the steals and there are no rumors about injury or conditioning. If he picks up enough plate appearances, he should steal 20 bases, but I wouldn't expect much in any other category. I think a bid of $13-$15 is appropriate, though its very likely that someone will buy into the Castro hype and bid into the $20s for him.