Pawtucket Red Sox Ides of July review: The bats
By Rick McNair
May 31, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Boston Red Sox left fielder Hanley Ramirez (13) celebrates with right fielder Rusney Castillo (38) after scoring a run against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports
Will Rusney Castillo follow the same path as Jackie Bradley?
Castillo did little in Boston this season with a .230 average, some questionable defense and some baseball blunders that should be exorcised in Little League. This was not the Castillo we saw in September of 2014.
I have seen Castillo at Pawtucket and he is a talent. The Castillo I saw had quality at bats, exceptional defensive skills and extremely fluid on the base paths. Castillo injured his shoulder in only his third game at Pawtucket this season and is there residual effects from that injury?
Castillo is slashing .289/.343/.414 for the season in 128 at bats. The power is there with three home runs and 15 RBI. The speed is there with 10 steals in 12 attempts. The baseball history is there with international play and professional play.
The Red Sox have that log jam in the outfield and with the sudden and surprise performance of Alejandro De Aza that tightens the outfield grip even more, despite Brock Holt moving to second base. That grip will be tighter when Dustin Pedroia returns.
Castillo needs to play. If the Red Sox fade the best option is to simply give him his time. There is nothing to prove at Pawtucket.