Leandro Castro Scouting Report (2010)
The most prospect laden team in the South Atlantic League in 2010 was easily the Lakewood BlueClaws, a Philadelphia Phillies affiliate. Overshadowed by three, top-100 prospects in Jonathan Singleton, Jarred Cosart and Brody Colvin, along with top-10 organization prospects in Sebastian Valle, Trevor May and Jiwan James, Leandro Castro was a name rarely mentioned outside of hardcore Phillies prospect fans. However, Castro deserves recognition as a sleeper prospect with a solid base of tools to develop from. With better plate discipline and hitting mechanics, the young outfielder could be a 2011 breakout candidate within the organization.
For now, he's an interesting, albeit frustrating project with the potential to become a fourth outfielder at the big league level if things break correctly. If he can become a capable enough outfielder to profile as at least passable in centerfield in a pinch, his prospect stock would rise significantly.
- Strong, compact build; Frame to add a few more pounds
- Listed a 5-foot-11; May be a little smaller in person
- Athleticism to burn; Lack of polish keeps him a corner OF
- Most impressive batting practice of any Lakewood player; Showed considerable pop and ability to generate lift
- Swing changed drastically in game action; "Muscled up" on fastballs in the strike zone
- Long swing; Explosive hands; Needs to shorten up and trust them more
- Excellent charge and throw to nail opposing runner at the plate
- Questionable route runner; outfield play needs further refinement
- Not a burner; Ability to post significant stolen base totals at upper levels in question
- Displayed too much flash; Needs to tone down his approach
For now, he's an interesting, albeit frustrating project with the potential to become a fourth outfielder at the big league level if things break correctly. If he can become a capable enough outfielder to profile as at least passable in centerfield in a pinch, his prospect stock would rise significantly.
