I don't know, maybe it's just me (well it isn't). Castillo lately takes the first pitch and second pitch which are usually fastballs. The man is getting in 0-2 counts very easily and then the pitchers throw him breaking ball, sinker, or slider to get him out.

 

Castillo and the rest of the team need to be agressive and take that first pitch because 9/10 times it's going to be a fastball straight up the middle. Cabs, Lowell and Conine are doing it. How do you think they got back-to-back home runs.

 

I think Castillo and Pierre need to start jumping on those first and second pitches.

I was noticing the same thing.... i was complaining to my dad about it...it seems like he's up there with the mindsed of "I'm gonna take two strikes" its really pissing me off

 

he's getting meatballs right down the middle and not doing s***

Yes, this lineup has to be more aggressive - especially Pierre. I want to see him bunt in every at bat tonight. I dont care if he gets on base, just really force the other team to make plays. Castillo, I am afraid, is just slumping a bit. He will come around.

I have noticed this and it bothers me. It seems like everytime Luis is up it's 0-2 in 5 seconds.

In addition to Castillo, Pierre seems to be on 0-2 on every AB. It won't change until he shows he can beat the pitching and hit consistenly.

 

Pierre has been a big dissapointment IMO

In addition to Castillo, Pierre seems to be on 0-2 on every AB. It won't change until he shows he can beat the pitching and hit consistenly.

 

Pierre has been a big dissapointment IMO

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I agree that Pierre is the one taking too many strikes. I understand being lead-off hitter, he wants to see all of the pitcher's pitches early on. That's fine for the first AB, but Pierre is making it an art to get to an 0-2 or 1-2 count....and then is only getting junk to swing at. JP was more aggressive in April, swinging the bat well, driving alot of pitches into center field. For the past two months we have mostly seen lazy fly balls, and choppers in the in-field. His few hits have primarily been due to his speed to first. He probably only got one bunt hit in the entire month of June.

 

Castillo's approach has been more aggressive. Luis hit .296 for the month of June, vs. .232 for JP.

 

I would move Luis to the lead-off spot, and either bat JP 2nd, or in the back half of the line up until he improves his approach at the plate.

I've noticed the 0-2 counts a lot on both of them. I really don't know what to say, they haven't been bad but they just haven't been consistent but who can say that most players are always good?

 

Juan Pierre is one of the hardest working men in baseball, if there is a problem, he is well aware of it and is probably working to fix it as I type..

I also noticed it with Castillo especially. He gets behind and then kinda slaps at the ball to foul off pitches. I'd love to see him jump on a first pitch fastball. Those are base hits waiting to happen.

I don't know, maybe it's just me (well it isn't). Castillo lately takes the first pitch and second pitch which are usually fastballs. The man is getting in 0-2 counts very easily and then the pitchers throw him breaking ball, sinker, or slider to get him out.

 

Castillo and the rest of the team need to be agressive and take that first pitch because 9/10 times it's going to be a fastball straight up the middle. Cabs, Lowell and Conine are doing it. How do you think they got back-to-back home runs.

 

I think Castillo and Pierre need to start jumping on those first and second pitches.

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This is one of those damned if you do, damned if you don't things.

 

Usually the onfield coach (either third or first) tells a batter whether to swing or not and suspect Luis is being a good soldier and doing what he is told. I do agree though that Luis finds himself with an 0-2 count all too often.

 

BTW, the phrase "a fastball straight up the middle" is incorrect parlance. A fastball thrown is "down" the middle, a ball hit between the SS and 2nd baseman is "up" the middle.

Castillo takes lots of pitches. It's just his style, & I'd say it's worked pretty well for him thus far.

 

He works the count almost every time he's up there. It's true that he can get behind this way, but I don't see him changing.

 

JP on the other hand, will hack away at the first or second pitch without hesitation. Not nearly as willing to take a walk.

 

I would be interested to see Luis batting right-handed more, even possibly against righty pitching. He can really drive the ball, and when he's batting lefty he seems really vulnerable to inside fastballs.

castillo makes the pitcher work and is not afraid to hit with the count 0-2 and gets alot of hits.i say let him do it , it makes the pitcher get tired

I feel like this has always been the case with Castillo. Not just a recent phenomenon. He tries to work the count, but picthers aren't really afraid to groove it in there. I've always said I'd like to see him occasionally swing at a first pitch or first strike, just to put that in pitchers' minds, but it almost never happens.

Castillo has always taken one or two strikes. I agree, he should jump on the them but i think he does that because he is looking for the a pitch to do something with it.

Luiy has taken the first pitch for years.

 

Just stop taking the second one.