I hope Fabio has paid up his insurance premiums, as he’s the next guy to walk through the revolving door in the Phillies bullpen, a door which has ultimately led to the trainer’s room and then the disabled list. Mike Zagurski got the tap when Eaton went on the DL, and was injured almost immediately. Enter Yoel Hernandez, and he gets hurt almost immediately. So, Fabio, best of luck!
Today’s question; do you see Castro as a starter or reliever going forward? If he were to pitch a full season in the big leagues next year, what kind of numbers do you see him putting up?
Phuture Phillies 
Reliever. He seems small to get through 7 IP as a flame thrower. Also not that impressed with his ancillary stuff.
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I think you have to try him as a starter, just because he’s much more valuable in that role and has fared well at the second-highest level. But allentown might ultimately be right. I just figure that at 22, he deserves the shot.
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With “Bronco” Zagurski out, Fabio Castro comes in as a reliever. If Durbin melts down (which looks less likely with every start) or another starter can’t go, Castro is an option. Then again, Gary Knotts or J.A. Happ might be better options as emergency starters, in which case they can just leave Castro in the pen. Switching back and forth isn’t ideal, but sometimes the situation demands it.
Castro is young but he has a live arm and can go several innings in case of a marathon extra-inning game. This is a great opportunity for him. His stuff is there, it all comes down to command. If he impresses in the stretch run, his minor league days may be over.
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To me, Castro will never be a closer and, as a lefty reliever, he would inevitably become a situational pitcher. This is all well in good if it turns out he cannot do something else, but it makes him a very limited player indeed. Therefore, given that he has good stuff, it seems that they should make every to keep him as a starter. If he can make it there, he could be quite valuable. If not, it’s back to the bullpen.
If we are looking for starters, the next guy up should be J.A. Happ. I think he’s more than ready to contribute at the big league level and to stay with the Phils. If they are smart, they will call him up prior to September 1 so, if he pitches really well (as he might), they can have him available for the post-season.
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I’m struggling with this one. I can’t imagine them bringing him up as a starter (unless they are down on Durbin) as I don’t see a spot for him. He struggled in the relief role with his command. Now that may be jitters, etc. but it’s not like he’s now a seasoned vet. I’ve been hearing for awhile they like his stuff as a starter so I’m thinking they should have just left him alone this year and let him finish out in the minors – starting.
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A very disappointing season by Castro. He seems terribly inconsistent; problem is still w his control. Question now is whether he ever will harness his better-than-average stuff with understanding of the first pitch strike, etc.
He’s still young but progress is needed which is not seen this season IMO. If he gets it together, his role should be as a reliever…since we’ve got several lefty starters on the verge of the bigs. He COULD be very good in that role with a fine fb supplemented by slider…but is there a changeup somewhere in there? If only two pitches he should be a reliever…of the late inning kind.
Though he ain’t quite ready ENOUGH he is our only “healthy” arm available now.
Wish him luck!
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To further respond to the questions posed:
1. Obviously, for this year, Castro has to come up as a reliever. That’s what they need and there’s no room in the rotation with Durbin around and, even if Durbin were not around, I’d take Happ before Castro in the rotation any day.
2. I would leave Castro in the minors next year if he’s slated as a starter. He’s not ready to be a major league starter.
3. Perhaps another alternative is to make him the long relief guy out of the bullpen next year and give him a chance to earn a spot in the rotation in 2009. In fact, the more I think about it, the more I like this option.
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Whether or not Castro does well, I will consider it a success if he doesn’t land on the DL. Forget quality pitchers, we just don’t have enough pitchers.
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Castro really has struggled with his command this season. I don’t know if it’s mechanical or mental, but if they can get him straightened out (and I don’t have confidence in our coaching staff), I don’t see why he couldn’t be a viable starter in the future.
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Other than his most recent start in the minors, Castro has been doing very well as a starter since his transition. His control will come with time (remember how young he is), and I could very easily see him being a middle reliever or a starter (I’m not sold on his closer potential) as he’s made serious improvement vs. righties.
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I think starter as well. Patrick sort of took the wind from my sails, but it seems to me that he performs better when he gets in the starting routine, rather than the sporadic appearances of a reliever.
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Ideally Castro is a guy you would leave in AAA until he dominates as a starter and forces the Phillies to promote him into the rotation in 2008 or 2009.
As it stands his promotion is simple, raw necessity. They desperately need another lefty in the pen. Long term, you worry about his confidence if he can’t hold his own, not to mention arousing the ire of the fans, but the Phillies have to take a chance here.
Having said that, Castro just might help these 2007 Phillies into the playoffs.
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Hernandez got hurt?!? How did this happen? Did he hurt himself on the flight?
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Reminds me of the old saw: “I just flew in this morning and boy are my arms tired!”
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I guess that’ll be yet another benefit of moving AAA to Allentown next year.
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Hernandez was holding his shoulder/side walking off the mound on Sunday.
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I don’t know, I’m very suspicious of all the “injuries” of late. I think their injured list could look like this:
Utley – Hand
Lieber – Poor diet
Victorino – Hamstring
Zagurski – Ineffectiveness
Bourn – Ankle
Hernandez – Should be in the minors-itis
Garcia – Shoulder (retro to August 2006)
Eaton – Sucks
Rod Barajas – See “Eaton”
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Well so much for the “no room in the rotation” thing I mentioned earlier. During the Phils game tonight they mentioned Hamels will miss his start tomorrow night with “elblow soreness – MRI tomorrow” (uh oh!!). Could we be seing the Model Dictator tomorrow night???
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I think the Phillies have 2 choices to cover for Hamels, IF need be.
Castro or JA Happ
Happ has pitched very well over his last 4-5 starts.
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At this point I would go with Happ. I think hes got a better chance to succeed as a starter than Castro right now. It would work out well because he’s due to pitch on Saturday. That would when the Phils will need a 5th starter. Castro got hit in his last outing, while Happ has gone 31.2ip, 36k, 7er, in his last 5 starts. I would go with the hot hand in Happ. Plus anyone else think think that Happ is as ready as he’ll ever be to be a major league starter?
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