Castro's non-errors

by cmathewson on May 2, 2006 10:16 AM EDT

I just want to point out that Castro made three errors last night that were not scored errors. One throw was up the line and they gave Lawton a base hit. The next guy hit a home run. Another play clanked off his glove and they gave the guy a single, which also scored a run. A third play clanked off his glove and they gave the guy a double. Combined with the first glove clank (which was a tougher play) that last play would have gotten the Twins out of the innning behind 3-1. Instead, they were behind 7-1. By my Minnesot math, Castro should have been charged with three errors and five of the eight runs should have been unearned.

I bought the argument that Castro was more sure handed than Bartlett, but I've seen a lot of balls clanking off his glove lately. When they say this guy does not make errors, I think he's extrememly fortunate to have charitable offical scorers, not just at home. There were three plays on the road trip that I thought should have been errors but the home-town scorer gave the guy a hit. I've been keeping track of this, and, if I were official scorer for all of the Twins games so far, Castro would have 8 errors.

Combined with his lack of range, which makes even routine plays look spectacular and makes tough plays clank off his glove, he's showing average fielding at best. When you play teams like the Mariners, who have a terrific shortstop, Castro's defensive deficiencies become obvious. Bettancourt would have fielded all those balls, and several others that Castro didn't even get to, cleanly.

It's just obvious to me that this guy is incapable of playing every day. When he was fresh out of spring traiing, he looked great. But one month into the season, he's already worn out and dogging it. He looks tiered and lackidasical out there. Last night was brutal.

Tweet Comment 12 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Agreed

He looked terribly slow on the play at home the night before, where he was almost thrown out.

Last night, he should have had that spinning liner up the middle - it just skipped off the top of his glove. He only took about one step to his left - he was positioned properly so range wasn't a factor. And that ball in the hole that was scored a double was just atrocious. At least knock it down to keep that second runner from scoring.

But, of course, you hear none of this from the talking heads Bremer and Blyleven on Fox Sports Net, also known as Pravda. Just keep spouting the company line. I would pay extra in my cable bill for an objective announcing team - one that would actually call it as they see it, instead of this over-the-top hyperbole every time Castro makes a routine play.

by SDfan on May 2, 2006 11:17 AM EDT reply actions

Speaking of over the Top

Someone hit a liner about two feet to Morneau's left last night (on his glove side). He caught it and fell over.

We got the obligatory "MORNEAU WITH A GREAT PLAY!!!!!!!!!!" but the replay showed that any warm body in the world, mine included, makes that play.

SBG -- Your source for half-baked crap

by SBG on May 2, 2006 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions

But his triple...

...will buy him another week or more in the starting lineup.

by roger @ Twinkie Town on May 2, 2006 1:21 PM EDT reply actions

Even a blind squirrel...

...will find a nut once in a while. Matt Lawton was never good enough to play center field for the Twins when he was in his 20s. Torii would have had that ball in his back pocket. i think Lawton was so shocked that Castro can hit a ball hard that he froze and the ball got by him just a few feet away from him.

Joe Mauer for MVP.

by cmathewson on May 2, 2006 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions

I Forgot about that Throw Up the Line

Yeah, those two off his glove were shockers, in terms of being scored hits.

SBG -- Your source for half-baked crap

by SBG on May 2, 2006 2:37 PM EDT reply actions

Castro's tear

His eaerly season batting-hype was because no one has seen him play regularly game after game. Now, the scouting reports have caught up to him.

Also, official score'ers give old guys a few extra feet before calling error.

by twintown on May 2, 2006 7:08 PM EDT reply actions

Free Bartlett

It's time. I accepted and even somewhat supported Castro starting with the big club, but the time for calling up Bartlett has come. I thought Castro could last until the beginning of May and then Bartlett could come up and provide an offensive and defensive spark. Exactly what we needed today and will need in the coming weeks.

by snuessle on May 2, 2006 10:36 PM EDT reply actions

I've been

I've been sayign this forever, so I won't restate it. I'm glad the rest of you are hopping aboard.

by AdamOnFirst on May 5, 2006 12:40 AM EDT reply actions

Castro goes

First Castro. The Punto.

There's not room for all these guys (plus Cuddyer) at the inn.

In the little playing time he gets, at least Rodriguez is trying to do something, or following orders from the coaching group.

Also, bench player are bench players. If they were good enough to play everyday, they would play (somewhere) everyday.

by twintown on May 5, 2006 5:40 PM EDT reply actions

Error Guy

This Castro fellow has to go. He isn't fielding worth crapola. He doesn't hit. Doesn't bunt. Doesn't take walks. Is Punto a better choice?

Where is Barrett?

Anyone impressed with Rodriguez? He works counts well. I still haven't figured out why he pinch-hit the other day and was replaced, at first, by Punto as a runner. Any news?

by twintown on May 10, 2006 7:16 PM EDT reply actions