A Hard Look at Jose Castillo – 2006 Errors
This is Part II of the Hard Look at Jose Castillo series. Part I is here: [link].
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette ran an article today where they speculated whether or not the 2007 team would be better defensively than last year’s team [link]. One of the statements made in the article by the Pirates beat reporter was:
"Assuming Jose Castillo keeps his job at second base, it is hard to imagine him making 18 errors again, including, amazingly for someone at his position, 15 on throws."
First, the reporter’s statement is factually incorrect — Castillo had three throwing errors last year. I assume the reporter just read his notes wrong. Jack Wilson actually had 3 times as many throwing errors as Jose Castillo did.
Secondly, while we know Castillo made 18 errors last year, nobody seems to know what kind of errors they were. And more importantly, if the errors were the type that any second baseman should have made or not.
Only five second baseman in MLB had 700 or more total chances last year and they averaged 16 errors each, with just one player having less than 14.
Castillo had 8 ground ball errors of the 18 he made — that’s 44%, which ranked him in the 46th percentile of all qualified second baseman (# of Error Type/# Errors Overall). So, in fact, he wasn’t among the worst second basemen fielding ground balls in baseball last year as had been speculated by one writer [link].
Of the eight ground ball fielding errors Castillo made, five were routine grounders he should have handled, two were semi-tough in that the direction of the ball changed within five feet of him, and one took a crazy hop that very few players on planet Earth could have made a play on.
Castillo also had six dropped ball errors. Three of the six were routine plays he should have made.
Two of dropped ball errors were initially charged to other players and later in the year given to Castillo – one was charged to Paulino for bouncing a throw in the dirt to Castillo while covering second on an attempted base steal, and the other was a throw by Sanchez in the dirt while Castillo covered 1B.
The last dropped ball error was charged to Castillo but should have been charged to Jack Wilson as a throwing error, as the throw to Castillo was at his shoestrings while he was covering 2B for a force out.
Then Castillo was charged with three throwing errors on plays where other defenders failed to catch the ball thrown to them. If Castillo should be charged with all six dropped ball errors above from poor throws to him, then I don’t know how he could be charged with throwing catchable balls to other players who failed to at least block the ball.
The first throwing error was a one hopper to Craig Wilson covering first on a nice stop by Castillo who had to throw off balance. But the ball bounced and took a long hop – five foot or more – and came to Wilson knee high or better, but it went off the heel of his glove and Castillo was given the error.
The second throwing error was on a relay throw to the plate and Paulino didn’t even attempt to block the ball that hit right near his feet. While the throw might not have been catchable before the bounce, it was easily a blockable ball and the error should have been on Paulino, not Castillo.
The last throwing error there is no video of and I don’t know what happened except hearing the announcers state that the ball bounced past Sanchez, so I have to assume this was Castillo’s error.
The very last error Castillo made for the year was on a pop up to short right field where Castillo was backing up trying to catch the ball, Burnitz was in a position to catch it but didn’t call Castillo off and Castillo couldn’t see him, and the ball came down hitting Castillo’s mitt and bounced out. It’s a legitimate error called by the official scorer but it’s a tough error for him to have to eat.
A total of five runs directly scored from Castillo’s 18 errors. One from Castillo’s relay throw to Sanchez covering 3B, one run from the failed catch by Craig Wilson, one run when Castillo covered 1B and Sanchez threw the ball in the dirt, and two runs, one from each on the ground ball plays where the direction of the ball changed in the last five feet.
There’s no question that Jose Castillo made a lot of seemingly silly errors. The fact 9 of his 18 errors were made on days after the team had a day off suggests that Castillo might not be able to get his concentration level up to speed after an off day. Further suggesting a concentration issue is that Castillo commited two errors in one game three times, for 33% of his total errors.
At the same time, we know Castillo started the year off out of shape after Dave Littlefield asked him not to work out over the winter since he had a torn MCL he was healing. And we also know Littlefield rejected Castillo’s plea to play in the World Baseball Classic to help him get in shape.
To that end, 66% of Castillo’s errors were made in the first half of the season and just one of the six errors in the second half were of the routine variety. So there’s no question Castillo tightened his game in the second half.
I have included video below showing every error Castillo was charged with so you can make your own decisions. Here is the official scorers rules on errors from the MLB rule book [link].
Every second baseman gets judged by the same rules, so in that regard Castillo received equal treatment. Yet, I don’t care who you are, and I don’t care how conservatively you view the errors he was charged with watching the video, you’ll be hard pressed to find 18 legitimate errors. 14 maybe.. but 12 or less is probably correct.
After you decide how many errors he deserved, remember that the other five players in MLB last year who had 700 or more total chances averaged 15.5 errors each.
As you listen to the video, listen closely to Gregg Brown and Lanny Frattare as they talk about Castillo and compare their attitude to the tone Castillo receives from the local beat reporters. Then listen to the tone of ex-players John Wehner and Bob Walk in comparison.
Then also remember that at least two (possibly as many as four) errors were originally charged to other players by official scorers and then changed later in the year and given to Castillo, along with the knowledge that the front office of every team has the right to appeal to MLB any official scorer decision.
It’s enough to make you start wondering if someone has it out for Castillo, and why. Here’s Castillo’s error reel:
twofus
Perhaps folks are assuming that Jose is as lazy on the field as he is on the base paths and unfairly knocking his D. I have little sympathy for Jose after watching his head drift out over the river last year during ball games. I hope he takes a giant step forward this year, though, as I’m a fan of his potential.
Shelby didn’t commit anywhere near that many errors last season…
hilarious John.
Hi BuccoBlog, long time reader, first time replier… Just wanted to toss this out there… We found out before last year that Adam LaRoche had issues with ADD and after becoming properly medicated, had a breakout season. We seem to talk a lot about similiar symptoms with Jose Castillo, “laziness”/”aloofness”/”Lack of attention”
Has there been any thought give to the fact that Castillo might have an undiagnosed ADD condition and therefore stuggles to focus in both fielding and at the bat?
I don’t honestly know Joseph. I’ve never asked anyone. I do know that the team allows each player to manage their own health unless something comes to their attention through ordinary channels.
Good question.
Honestly, I don’t know how many errors Shelby Ford was charged with, but none that I saw him commit made him look like he was snoozing out by second base…
I counted probably four charged errors that were wishy-washy at best or could have been charged to the other player involved.
But his defense really isn’t the question. His discipline at the plate is the question. The lack of concentration is a big part of that.
In response to josephkrebs post:
When I watch this video and look at Castillo’s fielding errors, I get the distinct impression that he may have a depth perception problem. Some of those hoppers that he missed looked a lot like simple judgment errors. Maybe he needs a new prescription for contacts or something
I was never an infielder but I took a lot of groundballs and I know you’re going to get eaten up once in awhile no matter who you are.
The depth perception angle is a new vision John. I’ve never heard anyone suggest that but you might have a point. It is the slower hit groundballs he has a tendency to miscue on.
And BMS, as for his plate discipline, Part I on this series compares Castillo to Mazeroski and Ryne Sandberg by age and, to be quite honest, Castillo isn’t doing that bad comparatively if he can catch a break from official scorekeepers.
Don’t forget, he had the 12th best power ISO in MLB for 2B last year and he’s still maturing. Plus, he only has 2.3 years total MLB experience.
All aside, there’s no way Jim Tracy can break camp without Jose Castillo at 2B or this team is going to lose a ton. He might have to bat 8th, but his glove work and pivot can’t be replaced. That’s a fact.
BTW, of all 2B with 400 or more PA last year (27 of them) Castillo drove in runners from 2B and 3B at a higher rate than 56% of them. He also was just .03 short of the mean of those 27 in total bases per plate appearance.
All of that despite his K-rate and poor discipline at the plate.
He’s just not the a-typical 2B – he’s power oriented and needs to mature more to fill out, along with getting better plate discipline skills.
1235 innings played in 2006..and writers are fussin’ about 18 errors?? Maybe it’s time for a career change!
Any read on what the Pirates are really planning to do with thier infield this year? Freddy at 2nd or 3rd? Castillo at 3rd or 2nd or the Bench? And has Jack Wilson spouting off added to the upheaval (in managements view)? What are Tracy and Littlefield planning?
The only person who has it in for Castillo’s defensive reputation is Jose Castillo. He consistently rates at or near the bottom of the league in fielding percentage and zone rating every year of his career.
running – no read yet. Personally, I think it’s a no-brainer with Castillo at 2B, but we’ll see. As for Jack Wilson and management, I don’t really know what they are thinking in the front office, but I know Tracy was against Jack’s outbursts.
Did you watch the video?
rick – maybe he’s at the bottom of fielding percentage because of errors being tagged on that aren’t justified?
His zone rating in 2006 was just .006 off from 2005 which is the equivalent of getting to 2 less balls in the year.
But the inherent problem with STATS zone rating is that any pitching staff that gives up a lot of balls in play is going to victimize their infielders zone rating because a lot more balls are going to be hit between the defender and the bag. That’s not an excuse for Jose, that’s just the way it is. When you compare ZR for players, the more chances generally means a lower ZR. It’s not an accurate measure by any means.
For three years he’s been charge with more unjustifiable errors than most second basemen? I doubt it.
As far as zone rating goes, my point isn’t that Castillo’s got worse last year. My point is that Castillo’s is consistently bad. And I disagree with your analysis of zone rating. It isn’t perfect, but it’s good.
I read over part one. Yeah yeah. What I am talking about is his inability to layoff pitches, to hit to the opposite field, and understand when to do so. His numbers by all accounts are simply a by product of him getting lucky. He flails at everything trying to put the ball into the left field seats. Granted his numbers somewhat stack up now, but they won’t for long because everyone has him figured out and unless he changes, which I KNOW won’t happen, it will just get worse.
How many DP’s did Sandberg and Maz hit into during their first 3 years? Wonder if it was even close to 45. Why is Castillo even hitting the ball on the ground? With his power potential he should be driving the ball. GO/FO Ratio 1.48 for Jose. He’s trying to pull everything that’s why. Everything!!
Pivot?!?! The guy pivots from the wrong leg 70% of the time. This is a SERIOUS injury just waiting to happen.
He will make the opening day roster, unfortunately. But for him to start more than a day or two per week would be a major mistake. At least until he shows the ability to adjust at the plate. I’ll take his defense as is at 2b bad pivot and all if he can give me a batting line of .275avg/.335obp/.470slg
Mazeroski averaged 1 GIDP every 39.97 at bats over his career. In 12 years as a regular he managed to bounce into 15 or more 9 times. His career OPS+ was 84. Castillo’s stands at 78.
Your notion that he’s bad on the pivot is totally unsupported by his numbers.
If you’re going to use HOF caliber players as the standard, Castillo isn’t the only Buc you should be tearing into.
I didn’t say he was bad ON the pivot. I said he pivots from the wrong leg. Which is fundamental. Which anyone will tell you is a injury waiting to happen. Which therefore is A BAD Pivot. He actually does okay with it. But sooner or later someone is going to come in hard and shred that ankle or knee of his.
Castillo averages 1 GIDP in 28.24 AB’s over his first 3 years. In 2006 he had 22 in 518 AB’s or 1 in 24 AB.
Maz never K’ed more than 75 times in a season, Castillo has already K’ed over 90 twice. So the guy K’s almost 100 times a season AND hits into 22 DP’s? So is the guy a slap hitter or of power?
I’ll take one or the other. If you are going to jack balls then don’t be hitting into DP’s at a high rate. If you are going to hit for contact then make contact and don’t be k’ing at a 1 in 5 rate. Sandberg didn’t even do that, not until the final 3 years of his career.
Castillo will never be as slick in the field as Maz. But he could be close.
He could be almost as good as Sandberg with the Bat. In fact his HR and EXBH totals are in-line with Ryne. So the power is there, but when you try and pull everything you create more K’s and more weak hit balls. Just go look at his hit charts. That tells the tell.
I am pulling for the guy, but really, just watching his attitude, he isn’t going to change his approach at the plate.
Oh… by the way Rick. I was using the same comparison that was used in part one. So any issue you may have take it up with the Author of Part One.
Thanks.
“I didn’t say he was bad ON the pivot. I said he pivots from the wrong leg. Which is fundamental.”
I prefer to judge by performance, not aesthetics. He’s as good at turning the DP as any second baseman I’ve seen since Mazeroski.
“Maz never K’ed more than 75 times in a season, Castillo has already K’ed over 90 twice. So the guy K’s almost 100 times a season AND hits into 22 DP’s? So is the guy a slap hitter or of power?”
They’re playing baseball, not some game called “Don’t Strike Out”. How a player makes an out is irrelevent.
If you think that power hitters don’t strike out AND hit into a lot of double plays, you haven’t been watching the same sport I’ve been watching for the past 40 years.
Well, then maybe you should invest in some new glasses Rick.
If it is so irrelevent how a player makes an out why is Jack penciled in as the number two hitter? He makes what they call productive outs. He definately doesn’t hit for AVG or Power.
Let’s look at Craig Wilson, he would be considered a power hitter. K’ed a lot. GIDP 47 times in 1952 AB’s 1 in 41.5 AB’s
Some other players.
Stargel – 1 in 55.4
Parker – 1 in 44.77
J. King – 1 in 43.9
Bonds – 1 in 63
VanSlyke – 1 in 60.7
Bonilla – 1 in 42.68
Howard Johnson – 1 in 81
All of these guys drove in runs, and had good OPS minus maybe King.
Out of all of the players listed, in terms of ability Castillo most likely is of the same caliber as Bonilla. Which is pretty **** good. So let’s look at it…
Bonilla’s 1988 season, should be what Castillo has the ability to do. See it here.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/players/3805/
So Rick, an out is just not an out. Having waded through a ton of power hitters, very few ground into a high rate of DP’s AND K a lot. The norm seems to be more K’s than DP’s. Even marginal power guys do not hit into many DP’s. And many guys who hit more for average tend to hit into DP’s more frequently yet have lower K totals.
A big bat that wiffs with runners on with less than two outs is better than a big bat hitting into a DP killing any type of scoring opportunity.
In Castillo’s case his problem is that he is undisciplined and needs to get that right. Look at his stats, power say 25HR’s is not out of the question nor is a 275 Avg. But he must cut down on the weak infield squibbles that occur when he tries and pull an outside or away pitch. The DP’s and K’s will drop significantly.
As for his pivot, well when he is out for the season or out for good, I’ll ask you then how effective that bad pivot was and is going to be.
Lenscrafters there is a store near you.