Castro hit two homers today against the Orioles....I don't know if it's just me, but everytime this guy plays he seems to hit the ball pretty hard! I'm just wondering what kind of numbers you guys think Castro can put up as regular catcher playing the entire season. I would say it's possible to see 25-35 homers from this guy...any thoughts? :mischief2

i think he can have a 30 and 90 season.

It's gonna all come down to consistency. We all now the guy has pop and can hit a lot of homers, but can he do it on a day to day basis. That remains to be seen.

i dont think his batting average will be anything over .280 though...hopefully i'm wrong

i dont think his batting average will be anything over .280 though...hopefully i'm wrong

I would be shocked if he ends up with a batting average over .270.

i dont think his batting average will be anything over .280 though...hopefully i'm wrong

I would be shocked if he ends up with a batting average over .270. I'd take .250 in a second.

Pudge who? Castro blasts two

 

By Joe Capozzi, Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

Friday, March 5, 2004

 

 

 

FORT LAUDERDALE -- The Marlins always wondered what Ramon Castro could do if he played regularly during a full season. On Thursday, the catcher offered what they hope was a sneak preview.

 

Catching Josh Beckett for the first time this spring, Castro took advantage of gusty winds at Fort Lauderdale Stadium and hit two home runs in Florida's Grapefruit League opener, a 6-5 loss to the Baltimore Orioles.

 

"The first one was definitely legitimate,'' manager Jack McKeon said. "They all count. We're not going to alibi it about the wind. I'm happy for them.''

 

It was the first time a Marlins batter hit at least two home runs in a spring game since Lyle Mouton hit three home runs against the Dodgers on March 15, 2001.

 

Castro, hit five home runs in 53 at-bats last season as Florida's third-string catcher. But the 6-foot-3, 235-pound catcher refused to predict how many he could hit in a full season.

 

"I don't know,'' he said. "I'm just going to try my best to do what's best for the team.''

 

For now, Castro, 28, will platoon with Mike Redmond unless one of them emerges this spring to win the starting spot.

 

Beckett said he worked well in his 2 2/3 innings with Castro, "One or two more games and Castro and I will be on the same page,'' he said.

 

Home opener today: The defending World Series champions will play their first home Grapefruit League game of 2004 today.

 

The world championship banner will be raised during pre-game ceremonies that begin at 12:30 p.m. Owner Jeffrey Loria will throw out the first pitch after he unveils the design of the World Series ring.

 

More than 5,000 tickets have been sold for the 1:05 p.m. game at Roger Dean Stadium, and a decent walk-up crowd is expected.

 

"We've felt the electricity since they won the World Series. Palm Beach County has embraced them as their team,'' Roger Dean Stadium General Manager Rob Rabenecker said.

 

On Feb. 27, 2003, the Marlins played their inaugural game at Roger Dean Stadium before 2,219 fans.

 

Nice reception: The Marlins were the visiting team Thursday but they received most of the cheers from the crowd of 6,403 at Fort Lauderdale Stadium.

I think that he will surprise everybody with his numbers but lets just hope he dosent get arrested mid way through the season

AaaaaaaaaaaaaLL along I've been saying Castro is the man! And yes whenever he is in there something good happens! I got his autograph after the game on Thursday! Along with lowell's and CABS'~!~!~!~!~!~!~! :thumbup

i dont think his batting average will be anything over .280 though...hopefully i'm wrong

I would be shocked if he ends up with a batting average over .270. I'd take .250 in a second. me too

I went to the Game Yesterday......AND YES Castro was impressive at the bat...

 

And even though Beckett allowed to much of an edge to the runners....IF you where there you saw that Castro has NO arm....this concerns me Big time.

 

His arm looks Weak...I can see anyone with decent speed running at will vs Castro.....I hope this is address by Castro and he can improve.

 

He did get an out at 2nd finally ... But it wasnt because the throw beat the runner....it was because the runner let go of the bag.

 

Let Us Pray.......

 

Cause I'd like Castro to get to hit ... I to would be thrilled with Castro going 270 batting avg.

 

 

Oh yeah ... and WELCOME BACK BASEBALL

Wow, makes one think that Castro could replace DLee's bat this year.

 

And high confidence that Cabrera > Pudge

Conine = Encarnacion

 

We should have a positive gain in offense this year.

Castros weak arm is bothersome to say the least. Pudge's defense is what we will really miss, not his offense. The way he would snap-throw to third and first and his laser beam to second were beautiful. We just can't let anybody get on base. :thumbup

Hey may have the pop in the bat that the Fish need, but I'm more interested in seeing how he's going to manage the pitchers. If he can do a good job with that, then I'll really say "Pudge who?" :mischief

At the first inning when i saw the runner beat his throw by a mile at 2nd i got a little concerned right away......but then the same runner steals 3rd without a problem.

 

Now thats SCARY

Funny, I've never heard a single concern from anyone about Castro's arm. If Trader isn't concerned, I'm not concerned at all.

Did anyone here besides me goto the Game yesterday? I know its only exibition but it was the First Marlins game of the Season here in South Florida. I had to take the day off

With the Marlins, Castro threw out 30.4% of base stealers in 2002, 37% in 2000, and 45% in 1999. For reference, Pudge's career average is about 47%. I wouldn't judge Ramon's arm strength after only one spring game.

Funny, I've never heard a single concern from anyone about Castro's arm. If Trader isn't concerned, I'm not concerned at all.

Its easier to notice these things when your actually at the game rather than just reading articles in newspapers and forums bud.....

 

Trader May be concerned and has just not said anything.....besides it IS only the beginning of spring training.....Castro must be given a chance to prove himself....he just may not be in top shape with his arm....My concern is just what i saw and spoke with other Real Marlin fans that attended the game like I did.

:blink: sounds like a large problem in the works! Opposing managers on that like right now!

With the Marlins, Castro threw out 30.4% of base stealers in 2002, 37% in 2000, and 45% in 1999. For reference, Pudge's career average is about 47%. I wouldn't judge Ramon's arm strength after only one spring game.

Pudges avg is over a Full season. How many actual attempts are the numbers your posting on castro....were there 30 steal attempts on those numbers?

Ok for those of you that were there I have to say that most of those bases that the Oriols stole yesterday were off of the pitcher and not just Castro's fault. Not even a perfect throw would of had them.

 

You know stolen bases are not always the catchers fault. Josh was not doing a good job of holding the runner. Not to mention that the pitch he stole 3rd on was a big breaking curve ball and he didn't really try to keep the runner on second. Relax on all the comments about Castro's arm. Jeeeez

This was on deck before he hit his first of two homers

 

I mentioned in the earlier post that beckett had the most part in the stolen bases...but if you where there you saw how weak those throws were as well...am i correct?

 

Eitheir way its early....I hope this will become something that we will not hv to worry about anyhow. Just an observation from the Very first game...nothing to get TO concerned about......BUT something to look at in the coming weeks for sure

With the Marlins, Castro threw out 30.4% of base stealers in 2002, 37% in 2000, and 45% in 1999. For reference, Pudge's career average is about 47%. I wouldn't judge Ramon's arm strength after only one spring game.

Pudges avg is over a Full season. How many actual attempts are the numbers your posting on castro....were there 30 steal attempts on those numbers? Allright. I have heard enough, Batato. Ok, we get that you are concerned about Castro's arm. But please - IT IS ONLY THE FIRST DAY OS SPRING TRAINING! Have some perspective here. Everyone's timing is off. And you would be surprised at how much a pitcher's delivery goes into keeping these baserunners honest. Beckett, I am sure, was more interested in locating pitches than holding runners on. Geez...give it a rest and be patient. You were probably one of those people panicking last season during the playoffs. There were people here ready to hang themselves after one loss! Calm DOWN!

 

There... :o :lol

This was on deck before he hit his first of two homers

 

I mentioned in the earlier post that beckett had the most part in the stolen bases...but if you where there you saw how weak those throws were as well...am i correct?

 

Eitheir way its early....I hope this will become something that we will not hv to worry about anyhow. Just an observation from the Very first game...nothing to get TO concerned about......BUT something to look at in the coming weeks for sure

Ok...that's better. Let's keep some perspective here.