2009 FBS Bust Player: Luis Castillo
Team: New York Mets
Bats: Switch
Position: 2B
It was a long time ago, but this was a guy who once stole 62 bases in a season. Castillo was one of the more feared leadoff hitters when he was with the Marlins, and a top 5-7 option at second base in the prime of his career. A few years, injuries, and cold streaks later, Castillo is teetering on the brink of fantasy irrelevance. We are considering him a bust this year because it still seems that fantasy players are thinking of his old days and the fact he plays a shallow position. I am here to tell you to push him over that irrelevant cliff. The Mets seem to be hell bent on giving him a chance to redeem himself this season (and earn his four year, $25 million contract), and have even talked about him leading off. Here are a couple of reasons to stay clear of Castillo, even though he plays a position with a limited number of good options. First, he is constantly hurt. He played in just 87 games last year, and hasn't played 150 games since 2004. Second, he just doesn't run anymore. Since stealing 48 bases in 2004, he has only gotten back to 25 once since then, and three of the last four years he has failed to even steal 20 bags. Even if the Mets bat him at leadoff, which I will believe when I actually see it, Castillo is still not worth a draft pick, even in the last couple rounds. His average is usually in the .290s, which is OK, but it isn't enough to compensate for a complete absence of power (11 HRs in the last four years), very few RBI, and 20 steals or less. Even at the end of your draft, there are better options than Castillo
Prediction: .256 average, 2 HRs, 41 RBI, 22 steals, 54 runs scored
Bats: Switch
Position: 2B
It was a long time ago, but this was a guy who once stole 62 bases in a season. Castillo was one of the more feared leadoff hitters when he was with the Marlins, and a top 5-7 option at second base in the prime of his career. A few years, injuries, and cold streaks later, Castillo is teetering on the brink of fantasy irrelevance. We are considering him a bust this year because it still seems that fantasy players are thinking of his old days and the fact he plays a shallow position. I am here to tell you to push him over that irrelevant cliff. The Mets seem to be hell bent on giving him a chance to redeem himself this season (and earn his four year, $25 million contract), and have even talked about him leading off. Here are a couple of reasons to stay clear of Castillo, even though he plays a position with a limited number of good options. First, he is constantly hurt. He played in just 87 games last year, and hasn't played 150 games since 2004. Second, he just doesn't run anymore. Since stealing 48 bases in 2004, he has only gotten back to 25 once since then, and three of the last four years he has failed to even steal 20 bags. Even if the Mets bat him at leadoff, which I will believe when I actually see it, Castillo is still not worth a draft pick, even in the last couple rounds. His average is usually in the .290s, which is OK, but it isn't enough to compensate for a complete absence of power (11 HRs in the last four years), very few RBI, and 20 steals or less. Even at the end of your draft, there are better options than Castillo
Prediction: .256 average, 2 HRs, 41 RBI, 22 steals, 54 runs scored
posted by Ryan Hallam at
Saturday, February 21, 2009
4 Comments:
I disagree. I think, if healthy and leading off, he is a great last pick. then, after the first one or two weeks, start shopping him and trade him or a bench player who has the potential to break out. By May 15th, he'll be batting eigth and you'll have screwed one of your fantasy baseball mates- big time.
I disagree. I think, if healthy and leading off, he is a great last pick. Then, after the first one or two weeks, start shopping him and trade him for a bench player who has the potential to break out. By May 15th, he'll be batting eigth and you'll have screwed one of your fantasy baseball mates- big time.
Thanks for the post Charityslave. Taking a chance on Castillo with a last pick is no big deal. However, if you do get him that late he won't be your starting 2B and that is what we are saying. He'll be lucky to play in 90 games and frankly his age (34 this year) is a concern. If you factor aage and health, don't expect much out of Castillo, but we will see.
I don't think we disagree. You keep saying if healthy. We don't think he will stay healthy. Guys his age pull hamstrings, tweak muscles, or rip who knows what. There is no risk at all with drafting him last and after two weeks trading him. That would be a great move.
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