Starlin Castro Already Slotted into the Two-Hole and Other Bullets

Feb 25, 2013

I caught only bits and pieces of the Oscars last night, in part because ‘The Walking Dead’ was a priority, and in part because I saw approximately zero movies last year. From what I saw, though, Seth MacFarlane was pretty good.

Dale Sveum is already pretty sure that Starlin Castro will be his number two hitter going into the season. “I really don’t look too far down the line, but the way things stack up he will probably be my two-hitter this year,” Sveum said, per ESPN. I don’t love Castro’s offensive skill set in the two-hole (high contact, but not a guy you want to see giving himself up; relatively low power, low on-base, low pitches-per-plate-appearance), but I do think he’s the right guy for the spot. Not only is his skill set evolving (in theory, he’s going to be seeing more pitches this year, getting on base more, and hitting for more power), but he’s also clearly one of the Cubs’ best hitters. Generally speaking, you want your best hitters near the top of the lineup, so they get the most at bats. For his career, Castro is a .302/.335/.431 in 728 plate appearances in the two-hole. He’s been better in the leadoff spot (.319/.362/.459) and the five-hole (.298/.359/.440), but those sample sizes are relatively small (343 and 209 plate appearances, respectively), and the stats are subject to things that were going on at the time wholly unrelated to where he was hitting in the batting order at the time. In other words, it doesn’t bother me that Castro’s going to be hitting in a spot that isn’t his “best,” according to the splits.

Castro has said this Spring that he will have better focus this year, that he plans to win a Gold Glove, that he wants to be the best player in baseball, and that he’s taken Jorge Soler under his wing. Don’t forget: Castro hasn’t yet turned 23.

Jeff Samardzija undoubtedly knows that he’s now a pretty strong favorite to get the ball on Opening Day for the Cubs, but he’s keeping things humble and passing the praise. “I haven’t had a conversation [with manager Dale Sveum] at all,” he said, per the Tribune. “We’re still waiting to see what happens with ‘Garz’ and see how he comes along. Obviously they know where I stand on it and how I feel. It’s nice to have a few guys who are capable of doing it. Hopefully it gets decided out on the field instead of in the training room, but it’s more important to have Garza ready for one of those first five games than rush him along now and see what happens. He’s really a key part to this team, and we all know that.”

Here’s a quote I don’t like from Brett Jackson: “I’m playing every day like I belong. I’m aware of what they told the media but that doesn’t deter me from playing the way I want to play and thinking that I deserve to be on this team. A lot of that is out of my hands but I’m going to do everything in my power to play the way I know I can play.” Why do I not like it? No, it’s not because Jackson wants to prove he can make the team right now – I like that. What bothers me is the “I’m aware of what they told the media” part. Is he saying that the Cubs have told the media something different than what they’ve told him about his immediate future? The front office has been quite clear with the media that Jackson is going to start the year at AAA Iowa (barring, I assume, a rash of injuries). And I’ve always gotten the sense that they always discuss these plans with the players to keep them in the loop. So … did they not in this case? Or was Jackson just being coy? I’m thinking it’s gotta be the latter, but it unsettled me just a bit. Of course, it’s also possible that he was simply responding to a question that included the media reference (i.e., “So, Brett, the Cubs have told us that … “). Actually, yeah. That’s probably it. Nothing to see here.

Dale Sveum, dropping praise bombs on top prospects Jorge Soler and Javier Baez: “They did a nice job. Soler, like I keep saying, he just shows more and more poise every day at the plate. He’s not a pre-meditated swinger for a young guy. He gets a good look at the ball before he swings the bat. And Baez, getting the guy over, hits a missile to right field and did a nice job at shortstop. So far they’re living up to the hype a little bit.”

More on the most popular minor league camp invitation in recent memory, Dontrelle Willis.

written by

Brett Taylor

Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

more cubs news

Chicago Cubs

CRAAAAAP: Cody Bellinger to the Injured List (UPDATES)

So much for all those words of optimism and negative X-rays. After colliding with the outfield wall last night, Cody Bellinger fractured his rib (Update: It's actually TWO fractured right ribs) and will hit the injured list today. Chicago Cubs...

Michael Cerami

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Chicago Cubs Lineup: What is it, June 2023?

CUBS LINEUP — The Chicago Cubs took Game 1 against the Houston Astros in convincing fashion last night. So tonight, they'll go for the quick series win against Spencer Arrighetti at Wrigley Field (it'd be a good idea to win...

Michael Cerami

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Bellinger Optimistic Post-Injury, Busch’s Defense, Almonte Stock Rising, Tauchman Slugging, and Other Cubs Bullets

Ed. Note: Since this article was published, a CT scan revealed a rib fracture for Cody Bellinger, who is now on the Injured List. You can find all the details of that news in our most recent article right here....

Michael Cerami

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cubs Outfield Prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong Coming Up

With Cody Bellinger headed to the Injured List with a rib fracture, the Cubs are in need of another outfielder: center field prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong is coming back up to the big leagues for the second time. https://twitter.com/670TheScore/status/1783217891195625709 Crow-Armstrong, 22,...

Brett Taylor

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Is Mike Tauchman the Best Player in Baseball? An Exploration

Hey, we're just having some early-season fun. So allow me to present the 'Mike Tauchman Is Clearly Better Than' list. As of this moment, Mike Tauchman has ... ... a higher wRC+ (151) than Pete Alonso, Fernando Tatis Jr., and...

Brett Taylor

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cubs Farm Report | April 24, 2024: Kevin Alcántara Cannot Miss Right Now

Name a player hotter than Kevin Alcántara right now. Go ahead, I'll wait. (He's already raking again today. Literally as I type this.) More on Alcántara's big day and the Smokies home run parade last night in today's Cubs Farm...

Patrick K. Flowers

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Oof: Blake Snell to the Injured List Just Three Horrible Starts into His Giants Career

Just three starts into his San Francisco Giants career, Blake Snell is heading to the injured list with a left-adductor strain. Oof. You hate to even say it — and who really knows if this was related — but early...

Michael Cerami

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

It’s Gotten Impossible to Not Comment on the White Sox Making Futility History

In 1997, I was a miserable Chicago Cubs fan. I mean, that was true a lot of the time, but I mean it in a very specific way that year: the Cubs had started the season 0-14. They had literally...

Brett Taylor

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

My God, Jordan Wicks … Save Some Awesomeness for the Rest of us!

Cubs rookie starter Jordan Wicks has been impressing us all season long with his apparent offseason transformation (which led to more velocity on his heater and movement on his slider). But last night against the Astros? That was a whole...

Michael Cerami

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cardinals Demote Uber Prospect Jordan Walker Back to Triple-A

On Wednesday, the St. Louis Cardinals announced that infielder José Fermín and LHP John King would be coming to join the big league squad in place of LHP Zack Thompson and ... uber outfield prospect Jordan Walker. You just hate...

Michael Cerami

Apr 24, 2024

Wurth 400 Odds from Dover Motor Speedway

Betting

Wurth 400 Odds from NASCAR Dover Motor Speedway: Betting Bubba Wallace at the Monster Mile

The Monster Mile roars to life this Sunday and the 2024 Wurth 400 odds have been revealed! Dover Motor Speedway welcomes NASCAR for its annual racing weekend and unlike last week’s Geico 500 from Talladega Superspeedway, the race favorites are...

Brian Twining

Apr 24, 2024

News

2024 Zurich Classic Tee Times, TV Channel, Live Stream

The fleur-de-lis flags are flying, and the beignets are hot! The 2024 Zurich Classic of New Orleans tees off this Thursday, bringing back the PGA Tour's electrifying two-man team format. TPC Louisiana is set to be buzzing with a unique...

Brian Twining

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Bulls

Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese Officially Introduced, And She Sounds Motivated

The new face of the Chicago Sky franchise officially arrived on Wednesday. Angel Reese met with media members at the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield. The former LSU standout and NCAA National Champion is only nine days removed from hearing...

Elias Schuster

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cubs Outfield Prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong Coming Up

Brett Taylor

Apr 24, 2024

Picks

Jonas Valančiūnas Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Thunder – NBA Playoffs Game 2, Wednesday, April 24, 2024

On Wednesday at 9:30 PM ET, the New Orleans Pelicans meet the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 2 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, and Jonas Valančiūnas' 3-pointer prop for this clash requires just one trifecta.Jonas Valančiūnas' Three-Pointer...

Data Skrive

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

CRAAAAAP: Cody Bellinger to the Injured List (UPDATES)

Michael Cerami

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Bears

And Now Penei Sewell Has Signed a MASSIVE Extension With The Lions

Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes is hard at work today! It's fitting that just a day before the 2024 NFL Draft kicks off in Detroit, the Lions have locked up two franchise, homegrown cornerstones just hours apart. This morning,...

Matt Rooney

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Blackhawks

San Jose Sharks Fire Head Coach David Quinn

When you finish with the worst record in the NHL, it's hard to keep your job. Even when the front office strips your roster to the bare bones, apparently. And on Wednesday, David Quinn found out the San Jose Sharks...

Tab Bamford

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Bulls

Chicago Bulls Contracts: Decisions That Have to Be Made This Offseason

While the NBA offseason will not officially start until June, it still can't hurt to familiarize ourselves with the Chicago Bulls' summer outlook. The organization finds itself at quite the crossroads, and it's not only because they disappointed fans with...

Elias Schuster

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Bears

Take a Look at the New Chicago Bears Stadium Renderings

The Chicago Bears unveiled plans for their downtown lakefront stadium proposal on Wednesday. And as you might expect, it is very kind on the eyes: https://twitter.com/ChicagoBears/status/1783185834490888461 The Bears even gave the project a code name — The Burnham Park Project: The...

Luis C. Medina

Apr 24, 2024

Starlin Castro Already Slotted into the Two-Hole and Other Bullets

Read More

more cubs news

Latest News

more cubs news

Most Popular

Most Popular

Latest News

Most Popular

Most Popular