Starlin Castro has often fallen victim to breaking balls in the dirt. But his increasing strikeout rate might not be as simple as a lack of pitch recognition.
With the recent Aroldis Chapman trade, an influx of exciting former Cubs has bolstered the Yankees’ farm system. But for former Chicago phenom Starlin Castro, a change in scenery has not worked out as planned. His .694 OPS is below league average, even for second base, a traditionally light-hitting position. Early in the season, he showcased the pop in his bat that everyone knew about. Unfortunately, he has fallen back into his old habits, which include chasing pitches outside the zone and hitting too many grounders.