Why you Should Add Starlin Castro

Look I’m not one to usually buy into the Rookie hype, especially hype around Chicago Cubs prospects. But you should seriously think twice before you skip out on a chance to land Starlin Castro of the Chicago Cubs.

I'm not saying if you were lucky enough on draft day to land Hanley Ramirez, Troy Tulowitzki, or Derek Jeter that you should add Starlin. But if you have Jimmy Rollins who is on the DL, hoping that Adsrubal Cabrera starts to hit, or got stuck with a player such as Yunel Escobar for your starting shortstop you could do worse than the young Shortstop for the Cubs.

Yes it’s true other Cubs rookies have burned me in the past such as Felix Pie, Corey Patterson, Kevin Orie, Hee-sop Choi, the list goes on and on. However I will put my trust in Jim Hendry because I truly think Castro has a shot to be a serviceable short stop that won't hurt you in too many areas in fantasy baseball.

A reasonable comparison I would make would be to Elvis Andrus, the second year Rangers short stop who is tearing it up this year. As a rookie Andrus hit .267 stole 33 bases, hit 6 long balls, and drove in 40 runs. I could see Castro hitting for a higher average and if Lou Pinella ever takes the hand cuffs off the Rookie the speed is there to steal 20 bases. Starlin is lucky enough to inherit Rudy Jaromillo who also had Andrus in his rookie year. Jaromillo is one of the best in the business and will surely help Castro excel and keep him consistent. I mean after all Castro is living with Alfonso Soriano look what Jaromillo has done for him.

Castro has started his Major League Career on fire in his first 5 games he is 6 for 18 with as many walks as strike outs (2). He recently batted second in the Cubs lineup and if he produces I can see him as a permanent fixture in the 2 hole. Eventually Derek Lee and Aramis Ramirez are going to hit and that means some runs scored for Castro. The only thing hindering this Cubs prospect from shining is his defense thus far he has 5 errors but the Cubbies seem to be willing to live through some growing pains with Starlin.

If he finishes the rest of the season in the Big Leagues I see a final line on Castro being .303BA 10HR 40RBI 20SB 67R. This would be a serviceable fit for all of us who are just waiting for Alex Gonzalez to come back to earth or for those of us that forgot to get a solid short stop on draft day.

If this all blows up in Hendry's face (and mine) let the Vitters countdown begin!