Quade says Castillo’s time will come

MESA, Ariz. — The backup-catcher’s spot on the Cubs is one that has garnered a lot of attention among fans.

Why, they wonder, keep veteran Koyie Hill over prospect Welington Castillo? Hill finished the spring 1-for-32 (.031) while Castillo was 12-for-19 (.632).

Manager Mike Quade was asked the same question Tuesday, and he said it was a combination of Castillo needing more time to develop and Hill’s work with the pitching staff. The No. 1 catcher is Geovany Soto.

“The ceiling on Cassie, if he’ll keep his nose to the grindstone and do what he’s done the last year, he’s going to get better and better, and he’s going to have some kind of a future,” Quade said. “The sky’s the limit for this guy. To me, he’s not ready to take that role on as everyday, ready-to-be-something-special catcher.”

On what he likes about Hill, Quade said: “The consistency and that he understands his role and that he’s able to perform that role. But that’s the other thing. Coming off the bench once a week? It ain’t that easy. He’s done it very well. His relationship with our pitching staff and the way that he’s conducted himself goes a long way with me saying yeah, this is the guy to get it. He and Soto play well off each other, they really do.”

Hill said he understands that the numbers don’t look good. “I think one thing with my hitting, I felt like it never affected my catching,” he said. “They feel the same way, obviously. I understand as much as anybody what my job is. For my own sanity, I think you have to really buy into that. It’s a challenge, especially since hitting is such a fun part of baseball.

“We’re here to make the people around us better. That’s our job. We’re good at the stuff they don’t’ keep stats for.”

Travel Arizona:

On a day when Cubs pitchers gave up 15 runs on 19 hits, starter Matt Garza had an interesting explanation. In fairness to Garza, his feelings are shared by many a pitcher and many a pitching coach.

“My first year in Arizona, and it (stinks),” he said. “I don’t care about the travel (easier in Arizona than Florida). It (stinks) here. It’s so dry, but whatever. Now it’s time to go to Chicago where there’s a little more moisture in the air.”

Garza was asked if he thought things would change in a different climate where he’ll pitch next Sunday at Wrigley Field.

“Oh yeah,” he said. “You grab a ball and it feels like you’re throwing freaking slime because it’s so slippery, and you can’t get anything on your fingers — not enough spit, not enough rosin, nothing. It just dries out right away. So for me, it’s probably an issue, but it’s not the reason why I threw the way I did. It’s something I had to adjust to on the fly and didn’t really do well.”