Rusney runs into trouble
Castillo not helping self with errors
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — Four exhibition games in, including one against a college team, and Rusney Castillo has two noticeable mental errors.
He didn’t run out what turned out to be a ground-ball double play on Thursday against Northeastern. Yesterday, in a 7-3 loss to the Rays, he ran too far.
Castillo singled in the seventh inning to load the bases. That’s good. Two batters later, Cole Sturgeon singled to left, and Castillo was easily thrown out heading to third as two runs scored: Matt Dominguez from third base and
Deven Marrero from second. Castillo, at the time, represented the potential tying run in a 4-3 game.
“Well, he overran the base,” manager John Farrell said. “It’s understanding the game situation. Deven Marrero has plenty of foot speed to score on a ball to left field. In his explanation, (he) felt like he needed to stay in a rundown to make sure the run scored. Again, those are all part of in-game decision-making.”
Again, a really expensive, and ultimately talented player, is standing in his own way. Or rather, running himself further out of the picture.
Taylor-made story
Righty Ben Taylor, a non-roster invitee and a seventh-round pick in 2015, struck out three of the four Rays he faced, showing off a power arm.
The 24-year-old Taylor has size at 6-foot-3 and nearly 240 pounds, and his stuff plays into the mid-90s as a reliever.
“I do throw a little harder when I’m in the bullpen,” said Taylor, who has been a starter in his minor league career. “A little shorter outings, I get to throw it a little harder.”
Taylor has two secondary offerings, a slider and changeup, which can both be improved.
“Some days (the changeup is) good, and some days I only need a fastball and slider,” Taylor said.
Farrell said the goal yesterday was to see how the fastball worked.
“He’s had a lot of success with some swing-and-miss,” Farrell said. “That was an impressive four-hitter stretch where he’s able to elevate with some guys, he’s got some deception and I think the velocity jumps on guys because of the ease of his delivery.”
Spring is an evaluation period for Taylor’s secondary stuff ahead of potential tweaks. He’s pitched as high as Double-A Portland.
This is the first time Taylor has been in big league camp.
“There are some nerves but you know it’s still the same game,” he said.
Devers digs in
Third-base prospect Rafael Devers hit a rocket lineout deep to right field. The ball was absolutely smoked.
Devers, 20, isn’t exactly competing with Pablo Sandoval, but he should be around camp for another couple of weeks.
“I think the more he can be around the environment and see some of the veterans and how they go about their work, hopefully (with) that in his mind, shortens down the timeline in which he could potentially arrive,” Farrell said. “And I’m not trying to get too far ahead. He’s a good-looking young hitter, but still just at 20 years of age, there’s a lot to be learned in big league camp. Games don’t begin in the minor league side until the 15th of March and would like to take advantage of every day that he’s here.”
Swihart settles
Blake Swihart’s throws look fine from behind the plate, and he went 1-for-2 with a walk and a strikeout. Still, for Swihart it’s about catching.
“The priority for any catcher is to lead the pitching staff,” Farrell said. “What you do offensively, I think that starts to carve out an outline of playing time, how much you’re going to be given back there. But in his case, it’s always been the defensive side that needs further development. Showing positive signs right now. We’re not going to take a threeinning stint and project, here’s our everyday catcher that’s got the ability to hit .300.” . . .
Drew Pomeranz (elbow) and Steven Wright (shoulder) both threw 45 pitches, Farrell said.