Castro polarizing figure for Chicago Cubs fans

Starlin Castro collected the 900th hit of his career Tuesday night in the Cubs' 5-2 loss to the Miami Marlins.

At 25 years, 2 months and 9 days old, he became the youngest player in franchise history to reach 900 hits, besting Hall of Famer Ron Santo, who picked up his 900th on Aug. 26, 1965, at 25 years, 6 months and 1 day.

Do the math. If Castro remains healthy and enjoys the seasons he's had so far in his career, he's a good bet to reach the 3,000-hit milestone.

He already has three All-Star Games to his credit, and he led the National League in hits in 2011, with 207.

But somehow Castro has become a polarizing figure among many Cubs fans, who vilify him daily on social media.

They cite his poor performance at the plate - he had a strong April followed by a poor May - and his 12 errors in 50 games after he committed only 15 in 134 games last year.

Castro still has one key backer in manager Joe Maddon, who told several media outlets that Castro "has a target on his back" and that Maddon can't figure out why.

After making an error on a routine ball Monday, Castro made two nice defensive plays Tuesday.

"Tremendous defense," Maddon told reporters at Marlins Park. "I know it's in there. I know he can do it. Stay with him. For me, overall, he has played well. He's made some mistakes on routine stuff, which I really know that we can get rid of that.

"I love his work. My conversations with him are fabulous. I trust the guy. He's going to keep getting better."

Castro has never shied from talking with the Chicago media, and reporters noted he was more than willing to do that Tuesday, one day after making the miscue and then taking a slow trot around the bases after hitting a home run (something else that did not seem to bother his manager).

"Just try to come in here every day with the same attitude," Castro was quoted as saying. "I know my talents. I try to be here every day to give 100 percent. Sometimes this game is tough. Sometimes you're good. Sometimes you're OK. It's kind of up and down. You just try to keep your head up and keep playing hard."

Let's take a look at the numbers.

Castro entered Wednesday night's series finale against the Marlins with a line of .266/.302/.345 for an OPS of .647. He had 4 homers and 25 RBI. His wins above replacement (WAR) was minus-0.2.

Last season, in a rebound year from 2013, he went .292/.339/.438 for an OPS of .777. He missed most of the final month of the season after suffering an ankle injury (that was tough on a player who likes to play every game). Castro had 14 homers and 65 RBI, and his WAR was 2.7.

According to stats site fangraphs.com, the percentage of line drives Castro has hit this year is 15.7 percent, compared with 22.3 last year. His groundball rate has risen from 45.3 to 60.8, and the flyball rate has dropped from 32.3 to 23.5. His walk rate is slightly down, while the strikeout rate has remained virtually the same.

The Cubs haven't tipped their hand about their long-term plans for Castro. He's one of three true shortstops at the higher levels of the organization. Rookie Addison Russell currently plays second base for the big club, and reports say Javier Baez will start playing third base at Class AAA Iowa. That could signal a move to left field for rookie Kris Bryant, who started there Tuesday.

There's always the possibility Castro will be traded, but he might have to build his numbers back up for the Cubs to get value in return. And there's always the possibility that he will remain in Chicago as the shortstop.

If he has a solid June and plays well through the all-star break and up to the July 31 nonwaiver trading deadline, the conversation could be a totally different come the stretch drive.

Cubs scouting report

Cubs vs. Washington Nationals at Nationals Park

TV: WGN today; Comcast SportsNet Friday-Sunday

Radio: WBBM 780-AM

Pitching matchups: The Cubs' Jake Arrieta (4-4) vs. Gio Gonzalez (4-2) today at 6:05 p.m.; Tsuyoshi Wada (0-0) vs. Tanner Roark (1-2) Friday at 6:05 p.m.; Jason Hammel (4-2) vs. TBD Saturday at 11:05 a.m.; Kyle Hendricks (1-2) vs. Jordan Zimmermann (5-2) Sunday at 3:05 p.m.

At a glance: The Nationals took two of three from the Cubs last week at Wrigley Field. Washington is trying to hold off the New York Mets in the NL East. Young slugger Bryce Harper entered Wednesday with a line of .329/.470/.718 with 18 homers and 44 RBI. The Cubs' Anthony Rizzo went into Wednesday at .317/.439/.572 with 9 homers and 31 RBI. The Nats ranked third in the NL in runs scored, fourth in homers and fifth in on-base percentage. Their team ERA of 3.75 was sixth. The Cubs were 10th in runs, seventh in homers and sixth in OBP. Their ERA of 3.64 ranked fifth in the NL.

Next: Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park, Tuesday-Wednesday

- Bruce Miles