Chicago Cubs: Evaluating Starlin Castro’s career thus far

CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 12: Starlin Castro
CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 12: Starlin Castro /
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CHICAGO, IL – SEPTEMBER 18: Starlin Castro (C) of the Chicago Cubs is greeted by his teammates after hitting a two-run home run St. Louis Cardinals during the fifth inning on September 18, 2015 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – SEPTEMBER 18: Starlin Castro (C) of the Chicago Cubs is greeted by his teammates after hitting a two-run home run St. Louis Cardinals during the fifth inning on September 18, 2015 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images) /

Castro posted solid numbers as a Cub

Following his rookie campaign, Castro played five more seasons for the Cubs. From 2011 to 2015, the young middle infielder appeared in three All-Star Games and carved out a reputation as a solid offensive player.

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Over his remaining five years on the North Side, Castro provided the Cubs with solid offense. In 766 games (an average of 153 per season), Castro slashed .278/.317/.404. Along with that, Castro hit 59 home runs and drove in 322 runs (an average of 12 and 64 per season).

It is good news that Castro maintained solid numbers at the plate because he was nothing special on defense for the Cubs. Prior to Addison Russell making his debut in 2015, Castro held down the shortstop position. In over 7,400 innings at the position for the Cubs, Castro recorded 138 errors, including a career-high 29 in 2011. As a Cub, Castro never amassed a fielding percentage higher than .973 at shortstop.

Along with his less-than-stellar fielding percentage, Castro was below-average in defensive runs saved. In his time with the Cubs, Castro saved -30 runs on defense and logged just one season on the positive side of the metric, the 2012 campaign.