http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/basebal...0,5594006.story

 

 

New Marlins infielder Bonifacio reminds many of former All-Star Luis Castillo

By Juan C. Rodriguez

 

South Florida Sun-Sentinel

 

February 27, 2009

 

PORT ST. LUCIE

 

 

 

Both are switch-hitters. Both are from the Dominican Republic. Both play the same position. Both wear number 1.

 

Marlins current and former infielders Emilio Bonifacio and Luis Castillo even have near identical physiques with the former listed at 5 feet 11, 195 pounds and the latter at 5-11, 197.

 

The Marlins were quick to point out the similarities after they acquired Bonifacio from the Nationals in the Scott Olsen/Josh Willingham trade. Bonifacio still has a ways to go before he makes manager Fredi Gonzalez or anyone else that saw Castillo in his prime do a double take.

 

For starters, the Marlins have Bonifacio playing out of position. A natural second baseman, he'll get most of his reps at third this spring.

 

"It's hard for me to compare because I haven't seen [bonifacio] much in the middle of the diamond," said Gonzalez, the Marlins' third base coach and bench coach when Castillo came into his own as a major-leaguer. "The speed is there. The swings aren't the same. Luis is more of a slasher."

 

Castillo, whose Mets dealt the Marlins a 9-0 loss at Tradition Field on Thursday, required about 1,500 minor league at-bats before becoming a fixture with the Marlins. Bonifacio already has totaled 1,000 more. Castillo can boast a higher career average in the minors (.307 to .285), but Bonifacio has him beat in slugging (.362 to .298).

 

Bonifacio may have as much speed and as possibly as good a glove, but offensively Castillo was far more polished at this point. At 24 in 2000, Castillo was an on-base machine in the majors (.418). Bonifacio, now 24, never had a minor league OBP higher than .375 (2006, high-Class A).

 

Castillo never had a 100-strikeout season in the minors. Bonifacio has reached triple figures three times.

 

"He's always been one of my favorite players," Bonifacio said of Castillo. "He's talked to me about using my legs and taking advantage of my speed."

 

Added Castillo: "We're just about the same quality of ball player. Hopefully he keeps working hard. He has a lot of ability and he's with a team that's going to give him an opportunity. If they give him the chance, that kid is going to do some good things."

 

Renewing acquaintancesThe Marlins' next two games will afford non-roster outfielder Jay Gibbons the chance to renew some acquaintances. All 779 games and 2,787 at-bats of Gibbons' major league career were with the Orioles, the Marlins' opponent today in Jupiter and Saturday in Fort Lauderdale.

 

"It'll probably be a little bit different than any other game just because I have so many buddies on the other team," Gibbons said. "I'm looking forward to seeing a bunch of guys."

 

The Orioles released Gibbons the final week of spring training last season despite owing him $11.9 million. During the offseason, Gibbons admitted to using human growth hormone.

 

"There had been rumblings that something might happen," Gibbons said. "It definitely surprised me a little bit. I didn't want to be somewhere I wasn't wanted. When they made the decision, I was actually relieved. Early in spring training, they told me I really didn't have a role. I just felt like a fish out of water."

 

 

Erick I guess I didn't pull this one out of my ass

Erick I guess I didn't pull this one out of my ass

Liar, everyone knows that's where the Sun-Sentinel is printed.

Erick I guess I didn't pull this one out of my ass

 

I remember a few people saying "De Aza looks like Castillo" too. Short, fast black hispanic dudes can look like Luis Castillo. Until they start putting up 60+ walks a year, I don't care what they look like.

Erick I guess I didn't pull this one out of my ass

 

I remember a few people saying "De Aza looks like Castillo" too. Short, fast black hispanic dudes can look like Luis Castillo. Until they start putting up 60+ walks a year, I don't care what they look like.

 

Except BillyBob it's Louie Castillo saying it not some child on the internet.

 

"Added Castillo: 'We're just about the same quality of ball player.' "

Oh f***, you're still doing the billybob sh*t. God damn, dude. Since when is 20 a child?

 

 

And if you are Luis Castillo and someone tells you they are writing a typical Spring Training fluff piece on Bonifacio, are you going to say "No, he sucks"? No. For example, I'm interviewing Tyler Townsend of the FIU baseball team about 2008 .400 hitter Ryan Mollica's early struggles. He says "Don't worry about Ryan, he's the best player on the team." That's what these guys say. They aren't going to rip on fellow players, especially not one's who appear to be friendly like Luis and Emilio.

To go further, sure he's short and Dominican and he's fast and has no power. That's about where the similarities end:

 

Luis MiLB line (Though I'm sure someone, maybe myself has done this): 1535 AB, 465 H (.303 AVG). 262 BB, 249 Ks. .404 OBP(!!!!!!!!)

Bonifacio line: 2574 AB, 734 H (.285 BA). 212 BB, 532 Ks. .340 OBP

 

Please, give me one reason why they are similar players?

 

If Bonifacio was a white kid from Texas, there's no chance he would've been compared to Luis in any way.

 

You know who he might have been compared to?

 

Eric Reed MiLB line: 2305 AB, 672 H (.292 BA). 158 BB, 448 Ks. .339 OBP

 

This is a superficial comparison at best. I really hate when lazy sports writers do this. It's like they are averse to comparing players beyond skin tone.

 

 

 

I have a dream that this post will forever end Luis Castillo-Emilio Bonifacio comparisons, but I know it won't.

Oh f***, you're still doing the billybob sh*t. God damn, dude. Since when is 20 a child?

 

 

And if you are Luis Castillo and someone tells you they are writing a typical Spring Training fluff piece on Bonifacio, are you going to say "No, he sucks"? No. For example, I'm interviewing Tyler Townsend of the FIU baseball team about 2008 .400 hitter Ryan Mollica's early struggles. He says "Don't worry about Ryan, he's the best player on the team." That's what these guys say. They aren't going to rip on fellow players, especially not one's who appear to be friendly like Luis and Emilio.

 

Of course you're smarter than Castillo and you can read his mind too. Beautiful.

 

BTW, what Castillo says in that situation...is nothing...wishes EB well...goes back to what he was doing.

 

I'm not sure whether to let you wallow in the belief that I called you a child or to put you out of your misery by pointing out the original thought (you might want to look at the thread title) had to do with another person of diminutive intellect, not you. But then again your testosterone-adled ego being as inflated as it is, had to believe I was talking about you.

It's not a question of intellect, it's a question of Luis' motives. As you say here, he made the statement in passing and the numbers and their records reflect that it isn't true. Well, maybe it's true right now.

 

It isn't outside of the realm of possibility that EB could put up a .245/.355/.305 line. Luis isn't very good at baseball anymore, so they might be about the same.

 

BTW, what Castillo says in that situation...is nothing...wishes EB well...goes back to what he was doing.

 

So then why did you use it as a point for them being similar ballplayers?

 

 

 

 

And you really don't see how the context of your post makes it seem like you were saying that to me? Cut the personal attacks ("testosterone-adled blah blah blah"), and cut the "billybob" act like I've been asking you to do for over a year. It's condescending, and makes discussing anything with you not worth it.

Oh f***, you're still doing the billybob sh*t. God damn, dude. Since when is 20 a child?

 

 

And if you are Luis Castillo and someone tells you they are writing a typical Spring Training fluff piece on Bonifacio, are you going to say "No, he sucks"? No. For example, I'm interviewing Tyler Townsend of the FIU baseball team about 2008 .400 hitter Ryan Mollica's early struggles. He says "Don't worry about Ryan, he's the best player on the team." That's what these guys say. They aren't going to rip on fellow players, especially not one's who appear to be friendly like Luis and Emilio.

 

Of course you're smarter than Castillo and you can read his mind too. Beautiful.

 

BTW, what Castillo says in that situation...is nothing...wishes EB well...goes back to what he was doing.

 

I'm not sure whether to let you wallow in the belief that I called you a child or to put you out of your misery by pointing out the original thought (you might want to look at the thread title) had to do with another person of diminutive intellect, not you. But then again your testosterone-adled ego being as inflated as it is, had to believe I was talking about you.

The numbers speak for themselves. Bonifacio has shown nothing to say he'll play like Castillo.

The numbers speak for themselves. Bonifacio has shown nothing to say he'll play like Castillo.

 

But he's short and Dominican and he's fast!

 

Everyone knows that being the same race as someone and being the same general size = playing like them.

 

That's why Jim Rice (6-2, 205 pounds) and Charles Johnson (6-2, 215 pounds) are basically the same player!

Oh f***, you're still doing the billybob sh*t. God damn, dude. Since when is 20 a child?

 

 

And if you are Luis Castillo and someone tells you they are writing a typical Spring Training fluff piece on Bonifacio, are you going to say "No, he sucks"? No. For example, I'm interviewing Tyler Townsend of the FIU baseball team about 2008 .400 hitter Ryan Mollica's early struggles. He says "Don't worry about Ryan, he's the best player on the team." That's what these guys say. They aren't going to rip on fellow players, especially not one's who appear to be friendly like Luis and Emilio.

 

Of course you're smarter than Castillo and you can read his mind too. Beautiful.

 

BTW, what Castillo says in that situation...is nothing...wishes EB well...goes back to what he was doing.

 

I'm not sure whether to let you wallow in the belief that I called you a child or to put you out of your misery by pointing out the original thought (you might want to look at the thread title) had to do with another person of diminutive intellect, not you. But then again your testosterone-adled ego being as inflated as it is, had to believe I was talking about you.

 

Stay classy 2003

Stay?

I'm Ron Burgundy?

Really cute of you to call me out in a thread Eddie. Congrats...you found an article from a guy comparing the two.

 

Juan C. Rodriguez is the man.

 

Big deal...when Bonifacio doesn't turn out to be Luis Castillo...we'll see who's talking.

 

Till then, I'll worry a little more about my fractured left femur over a guy who apparently has a mancrush on Bonifacio, and doesn't understand I'm just comparing the stats plenty of other people are comparing.

Really cute of you to call me out in a thread Eddie. Congrats...you found an article from a guy comparing the two.

 

Juan C. Rodriguez is the man.

 

Big deal...when Bonifacio doesn't turn out to be Luis Castillo...we'll see who's talking.

 

Till then, I'll worry a little more about my fractured left femur over a guy who apparently has a mancrush on Bonifacio, and doesn't understand I'm just comparing the stats plenty of other people are comparing.

Hope you get better soon Erick I just wanted to inject some humor Erick by needling you a bit...No hard feelings

So, it's settled. Comparing two guys who happen to play the same position and be the same ethnicity and run fast and not have anything else in common is really dumb. Especially when the things they do have in common aren't really very important at all.

If Bonifacio was a white kid from Texas, there's no chance he would've been compared to Luis in any way.

Aces :thumbup

The numbers speak for themselves. Bonifacio has shown nothing to say he'll play like Castillo.

 

The numbers speak loud, but let's give the kid a chance...

 

I don't see the point in writing someone off before they get a chance with your club...

 

Following a sports team without a decent amount (sometimes blind) optimism doesn't seem worth it to me. My opinion.

The numbers speak for themselves. Bonifacio has shown nothing to say he'll play like Castillo.

 

The numbers speak loud, but let's give the kid a chance...

 

I don't see the point in writing someone off before they get a chance with your club...

 

Following a sports team without a decent amount (sometimes blind) optimism doesn't seem worth it to me. My opinion.

 

Nobody's saying we can't HOPE he turns into Castillo... like Rabb said though... there's nothing that should lead any rational human being to believe he'll play like Castillo... short of, like bob was saying, being Dominican, a switch hitter and fast. The Eric Reed comp seems a very appropriate one, but whereas Reed could only play the OF... Bonerface has the ability to play a ton of positions.

 

I expect Amezaga 2.0... not Castillo 2.0

Oh f***, you're still doing the billybob sh*t. God damn, dude. Since when is 20 a child?

 

 

And if you are Luis Castillo and someone tells you they are writing a typical Spring Training fluff piece on Bonifacio, are you going to say "No, he sucks"? No. For example, I'm interviewing Tyler Townsend of the FIU baseball team about 2008 .400 hitter Ryan Mollica's early struggles. He says "Don't worry about Ryan, he's the best player on the team." That's what these guys say. They aren't going to rip on fellow players, especially not one's who appear to be friendly like Luis and Emilio.

 

Of course you're smarter than Castillo and you can read his mind too. Beautiful.

 

BTW, what Castillo says in that situation...is nothing...wishes EB well...goes back to what he was doing.

 

I'm not sure whether to let you wallow in the belief that I called you a child or to put you out of your misery by pointing out the original thought (you might want to look at the thread title) had to do with another person of diminutive intellect, not you. But then again your testosterone-adled ego being as inflated as it is, had to believe I was talking about you.

The numbers speak for themselves. Bonifacio has shown nothing to say he'll play like Castillo.

Sure there is. If we're talking about 2007-present Castillo.

I expect Amezaga 2.0... not Castillo 2.0

Absolutely. And hopefully he will slug a little bit more than Amezaga and get into low 700 OPS territory. That will make for a very good utility man.

Sure there is. If we're talking about 2007-present Castillo.

 

But that's a pretty bad baseball player.

Sure there is. If we're talking about 2007-present Castillo.

 

If we are talking 2007-present Luis Castillo, Luis had a OBP of .362 and .355 the last two seasons. Bonifacio will never touch that OBP in the major leagues with a full set of at bats.

as much as I have often come to the defense of Bonifacio around here... it is not very encouraging that they talked up his defense and he has two errors in 3 games so far...

Please, give me one reason why they are similar players?

 

Both have names that end in 'o'.