Welington Castillo may be in line to become the starting catcher for the Chicago Cubs in 2013. He's certainly making his best case.
Castillo has been the Cubs' primary option behind the plate since they traded Geovany Soto to Texas in late July in exchange for cash and Jacob Brigham. Manager Dale Sveum said:
"He's made probably the biggest progress I think of anybody on the team right now. The changes he's made in his defense and calling a game and the preparation he's been going through -- his whole attitude has changed dramatically, right into an everyday catcher's mindset right now. ... I think going into spring training, he'll feel like he's the everyday catcher. "
Castillo is hitting .275 on the season. More importantly, he's posted an impressive .309 average since becoming the everyday catcher in August. Lately, Castillo has been hitting sixth, directly behind Starlin Castro.
For more on the Cubs, be sure to visit Bleed Cubbie Blue.