Fake Teams Fantasy Player of the Day: Cubs Shortstop Starlin Castro

Cubs shortstop and now leadoff hitter Starlin Castro went 4-5 with a HR, double and 3 RBIs on Saturday night to help the Cubs beat the Rockies 8-3. Castro homered off of Rockies reliever Felipe Paulino, a 3-run shot in the 7th inning to break open a tight game. Castro is now hitting .397-.415-.556 with a HR, 6 RBIs, 12 runs scored and 2 SBs on the season.

Last year, Castro finished his rookie season hitting .300-.347-.408 with 3 HRs, 41 RBIs, 53 runs scored and 10 SBs in 463 at bats. Many will remember Castro's first major league game after being called up last May 7th. Castro went 2-5 with a HR, triple and 6 RBIs. 

For fantasy purposes, Castro will provide owners with a .300 BA, possible double digit power, around 60 RBIs, and 15 SBs. My prediction for double digit power may be a stretch this year, but Castro is fast becoming one of the best hitting shortstops in baseball. 

I ranked Castro as my 11th best shortstop for 2011, and now that is looking very low. Right now, if I had to re-rank the shortstops, I would rank him around #5 or 6 in all of baseball. Here is what I wrote about Castro on March 8th in my updated shortstop rankings:

11. Starlin Castro, CHC-Castro had a solid rookie season in 2010 hitting 3/53/41/10/.300/.347/.408. Castro may not hit for as much power as the rest of the top shortstops here, but he will hit for a solid BA and could steal 15 bases in 2011. I see a 7/70/55/15/.290 season from Castro in 2011.

I might be a bit low on my BA and runs scored projections, especially now that Castro is leading off. 

Note: No Roto Roundup on Sunday