In ESPN's Rumor Central follow-up on Justice's post yesterday, Jason Grey has some thoughts on Jason Castro:
"Multiple scouts have wondered why Castro has not hit for more power than he has, given his frame, balance, and the loft in his swing. Part of it is that his best pop seems to be to straight-away center, and part of it is that he can still add more strength. It was tough to get a read on him at the Arizona Fall League, where Castro was fatigued and did not look good in his sporadic playing time, and the team sent him home early to rest. How much he taps into his above-average power potential is going to be key in determining his future and how quickly he moves. Castro has the skills to stay behind the dish, and the fact he hit .300 with doubles power between high Class-A and Double-A this year while controlling the strike zone well bodes well for his future, especially if more balls start clearing the fence. It may be a bit premature to expect him to have impact next season, but he should be the starting catcher in Houston by 2011."
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
