Tuesday, March 20, 2001
Castro good hands man in the infield
Reds will use him for defense, even at first
By Chris Haft
The Cincinnati Enquirer
CLEARWATER, Fla. — Juan Castro's career profile prompts the following descriptions: Reserve. Extra man. Utility player. Bench help.
Those terms imply that Castro is also an afterthought. But don't add that to the list.
Castro is the Reds' most trusted backup infielder, which means more this season than in most others.
Shortstop Barry Larkin and third baseman Aaron Boone each have battled injuries. Castro will be manager Bob Boone's first choice to fill in for Larkin and possibly for Aaron Boone, though the equally versatile Donnie Sadler also may enter the third-base mix.
Manager Boone, intent on preserving leads by using his best defensive lineup, won't be shy about substituting. He might even use Castro at first base, a position the five-year veteran never has played in the regular season. Before the exhibition season ends March 31, Boone wants to get Castro more time at first, where he has played in workouts and briefly in Grapefruit League action.
A casual fan might wonder why the Reds value Castro so deeply. His lifetime fielding percentage of .980 is good but not stellar. But true aficionados know Castro has extraordinary hands, even by major-league standards. Short-hop grounders rarely handcuff him, as they do some infielders. He makes plays on shots up the middle or in the hole look easy.
“He has the uncanny ability to make defense look so easy,” said Reds utilityman Chris Sexton, who, like Castro, plays second base, shortstop and third base. “As a player, you know how tough the plays he makes can be. But 35,000 people think it's easy because he makes it look that way. It really is a gift. He works hard at it, though.”
“You have to be ready,” Castro said Monday, his voice as soft as his hands. “You have to know the fundamentals and basics of every position.”
Castro never looked out of place while starting 38 games at shortstop and 16 at second base last year after Cincinnati promoted him from Triple-A Louisville on April 28. He committed just two errors in 269 total chances for a fielding percentage of .993.
Castro's efforts fulfilled the expectations the Reds had felt since they began trying to acquire him in 1997. Aware of Castro's sharp glove but impatient with his poor hitting, the Los Angeles Dodgers, in whose system Castro began his professional career in 1991, essentially gave up on him at this time last year.
“They were going to send me to Triple-A; they told me I'd play two or three days a week,” Castro said. “When that happens to you, a lot of things go through your mind. You think, "This is the end of my career. Nobody wants me.' A lot of bad things. But everything worked out right.”
Castro's fortunes began rising when the Reds acquired him and $150,000 last April 1 for a player to be named, who turned out to be minor-league right-hander Kenny Lutz. Less than two months later, on May 30, the Reds extended Castro's contract at $400,000 per year through 2002.
Castro established single-season career highs in at-bats (224), hits (54), doubles (12), home runs (four) and RBI (23). His .241 average eclipsed his .188 career figure with Los Angeles.
“The Reds gave me a lot of confidence,” said Castro, 28. “They let me play and that was the main reason I felt comfortable at the plate.”
Manager Boone firmly believes in Castro, who's batting .276 (8-for-29). Boone feels he can continue to improve as a hitter.
“Mechanically, he's pretty sound,” Boone said. “I'm absolutely sold he'll hit better.”
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Castro good hands man in the infield
