Pro-side scouting report: Jason Castro, C, Houston Astros
By The Baseball Beginnings Guy
December 19, 2009
Jason Castro impressed the hell out of me when I saw him in the Arizona Fall League. What we have here is a catcher who is very close to the major leagues and should be there in 2010. Physically, Castro’s got the durable frame to take the beating that his body is about to receive for the next decade. He throws better than 90 percent of the catchers I’ve recently seen in the big leagues, to say nothing of the catchers I come across in amateur baseball. Defensively, he’s got a chance to be the best at his position in the major leagues. He has soft hands and sets a quiet target, he handles velocity as well as he handles ground-ball pitchers, and intellectually he will be able to run games at an advanced level as he gains experience.
Offensively, Castro might have a chance to be better than a lot of publications have given him credit for. This is based off a very smooth right-handed stroke on a strong body. Castro has a gap-to-gap swing performed without max effort. I’m not saying the guy will be Bench or Piazza with the bat, but he’s going to be better than Matt Walbeck. Read the former Stanford catcher’s full scouting report here. Astro fans can envision the day when Castro and shortstop Jiovanni Mier make a Gold Glove tandem up the middle.
JASON CASTRO, C
Houston Astros
B/T: L/R
6-3, 210
Games Seen: 2, Innings: 12
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Tall, lean and durable; strong features, strong lower half, hands and fore arms.
STREGNTHS: Plus, plus defensive catcher. Outstanding hands and footwork, blocks balls, frames pitches, quiet target; a pitcher’s dream to throw with. Above-average throwing arm and good release; above-average arm accuracy.
WEAKNESSES: Slightly below average major league hitter and major league power right now, but closing the gap fast. Below-average runner.
SUMMARY: Chance to be best defender at his position in the major leagues. Should be strong enough to develop 15-18 HR power and slightly above-average hitter in coming years.
GRADES: (Present/Future)
Hit 45/55
Power 40/55
Arm 70/70
Field 75/80
Run 40/40
Overall Future Potential: 60
Adjusted Overall Future Potential (removing running grade): 65
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