Article: REPORT: Twins To Sign Jason Castro

[Trov]

I seem to be seeing people are split in two camps, those that want a top hitting catcher and those that want a top defensive catcher, sadly both are very rare and cost 25 mil a year, or more.  For those that want top hitting catch see where Kurt ends up.  There is a reason no one wanted him at the trade deadline, despite him being one of top average hitting catchers.  It was because he was terrible behind the plate, not just throwing out runners but getting strikes called.  

[jimmer]

 

I seem to be seeing people are split in two camps, those that want a top hitting catcher and those that want a top defensive catcher, sadly both are very rare and cost 25 mil a year, or more.  For those that want top hitting catch see where Kurt ends up.  There is a reason no one wanted him at the trade deadline, despite him being one of top average hitting catchers.  It was because he was terrible behind the plate, not just throwing out runners but getting strikes called.  

Suzuki had a decent offensive season this season year and another in 2014.  Those are the only two seasons this decade he hasn't been horrible at the plate. Between his uncertainty hitting, and his horrible defense, it's no surprise he's not a hot commodity.

[Mr. Brooks]

I'd be surprised if Suzuki ended up getting more than a ST invite from anyone.

I said that at the deadline when people were wondering why he wasn't traded.

He simply doesn't belong behind the plate anymore, and obviously can't hit enough for anywhere else.

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

I'm pretty wishy-washy on automated umpiring.

 

On the pro side, it would make for a more competitive, better game of baseball. Removing human error from the situation leads to more accuracy and a better level of play.

 

On the con side, it sucks much of the soul out of the game. Whether you love or hate human umpiring, something is lost when you look to a scoreboard to see the call instead of seeing a dynamic umpire throw out his arm and ring up a batter in a crucial situation.

 

And sports are emotional. There's a human element that comes with a live umpire standing behind the catcher.

 

I hate hearing people complaining about the umpiring, particularly around ball and strike calls, and I absolutely hate that certain teams (i.e. Yankees) get an advantage there that no other MLB team gets.  Not saying you get rid of the ump (still need calls at the plate, balks, etc.) but I am saying that I think it's time that this gets taken out of the hands of said ump.

[DocBauer]

I would like more uniformity between all the umpires and their zones/calls. But I'd also like more uniformity in football regarding pass interference calls and the such. But I also don't want a computer making that kind of determination or even a guy in the booth playing big brother and overseeing every single play either. (Except as replay dictates)

 

I still want and enjoy the human element. Sports is played by humans with rousing success and utter disappointment both. I believe humans should control the game as well. But it's also inexcusable in today's world of information sharing and technology for MLB and other sports not to review and instruct and preach as much uniformity as possible.

[Mr. Brooks]

I hate hearing people complaining about the umpiring, particularly around ball and strike calls, and I absolutely hate that certain teams (i.e. Yankees) get an advantage there that no other MLB team gets. Not saying you get rid of the ump (still need calls at the plate, balks, etc.) but I am saying that I think it's time that this gets taken out of the hands of said ump.

I'm curious if there is evidence that the Yankees get a more beneficial strike zone, or is that just your opinion?

[Doomtints]

 

I'm curious if there is evidence that the Yankees get a more beneficial strike zone, or is that just your opinion?

 

Should be easy to figure out.  Pitch framing grades the umpire as much as it does the catcher.  How do the Yankees catchers rank for pitch framing?  And did Murphy see a huge drop when he moved to the Twins?

[Mr. Brooks]

Should be easy to figure out. Pitch framing grades the umpire as much as it does the catcher. How do the Yankees catchers rank for pitch framing? And did Murphy see a huge drop when he moved to the Twins?

Figuring out if the Yankees hitters benefit would be the harder part.

[Homer Hanky]

 

Can't hit a lick (.222, .211, .210 last three years), but he does seem to take walks and shows a little pop in the bat. 

 

But, goes to show teams will pay for defense, and in theory, Castro should get lots of borderline balls called strikes which should help the pitchers. 

Seth, besides his excellent pitch framing... do you know if Jason speaks Spanish... and could this be another plus side to this signing... as he can communicate better with several of our latin players... if he can... this signing just keeps getting better. 

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Seth, besides his excellent pitch framing... do you know if Jason speaks Spanish... and could this be another plus side to this signing... as he can communicate better with several of our latin players... if he can... this signing just keeps getting better. 

I see no reason to think Castro would be fluent in Spanish.  I don't know his precise ancestral roots, but it sounds like they've all been born and raised in America dating back at least a couple generations:

 

http://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/astros/article/Burning-desire-to-win-5259737.php

 

In college at Stanford, Castro "majored in sociology, with an emphasis in business and economic sociology":

 

http://www.gostanford.com/news/2013/4/17/208432460.aspx

[Doomtints]

 

I see no reason to think Castro would be fluent in Spanish.  I don't know his precise ancestral roots, but it sounds like they've all been born and raised in America dating back at least a couple generations:

 

http://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/astros/article/Burning-desire-to-win-5259737.php

 

In college at Stanford, Castro "majored in sociology, with an emphasis in business and economic sociology":

 

http://www.gostanford.com/news/2013/4/17/208432460.aspx

Good research.  The city he grew up in (Castro Valley) is an affluent, mostly-white city.  This doesn't mean he does not know Spanish, of course, as he could have learned it in school.  Seeing as he went to Stanford he no doubt has a very good academic record and is probably at least familiar with a foreign language. 

[Mr. Brooks]

Good research. The city he grew up in (Castro Valley) is an affluent, mostly-white city. This doesn't mean he does not know Spanish, of course, as he could have learned it in school. Seeing as he went to Stanford he no doubt has a very good academic record and is probably at least familiar with a foreign language.

They named his hometown after him? This guy is a legend!

[jokin]

 

...Not saying you get rid of the ump (still need calls at the plate, balks, etc.) but I am saying that I think it's time that this gets taken out of the hands of said ump...*

 

* ...Insert "Slippery Slope Theory Here...

[crapforks]

Random bump?