Castro Looking to Turn Heads in Spring Training

The Houston Astros couldn’t wait to get there hands on Jason Castro. When the superstar catcher was available, they jumped at the chance to make him the 10^th overall pick in the 2008 draft. Astros scouting director Bobby Heck was high on the Stanford grad because of his potential to rise quickly through the minor league level. Apparently, that potential is so great that the Astros have decided to invite the rookie to spring camp in Kissimmee.

Astros general manager Ed Wade feels that an early spring training invite to Castro will aid in his development and will help him gain valuable experience for his inevitable return to the big club. Ed Wade is normally hesitant to invite first-year players to spring training. However, Castro’s combination of skill, experience and maturity make him a qualified candidate this season. If there was ever a year where a first-year player could make an impact, this could be the year. The Astros have a glaring need at the catcher position this season following the exit of longtime backstop Brad Ausmus and the lack of improvement from young J.R. Towles and Humberto Quintero.

Castro’s size and his bat make it hard for Astros fans not to daydream about a quick ascent to the Major Leagues. Castro finished second in the Cape Cod league with a .341 batting average following his sophomore season at Stanford. As an encore, he hit .376 with 73 RBI in 67 games in leading his Stanford Cardinal club to the College World Series in 2008. That is offense that the Astros are sorely in need of. Quintero hit just .226 in ‘08 while Towles fell to an abysmal .137 clip. They combined for just 6 home runs and 28 runs batted in. Towles was 9-for-97 (.093) with no homers and 7 RBI’s after April 24^th.

Ed Wade made it clear that he is optimistic about Castro’s potential. However, we may not see an immediate impact from him on the everyday roster. "We think he has a chance to move quickly through the organization and we'd like to think by 2010 he's either knocking on the door or fighting for a job."

Joining Castro at the Astros camp in Kissimmee, Florida, will be fellow rookies Chris Johnson, pitcher Bud Norris and catcher Lou Santangelo.