CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Reds are rebuilding around young pitching, and the mantra the organization has hammered home at all levels of the minor leagues is to throw strikes.
Guys who do that consistently will get an opportunity at the big-league level. Guys who nibble won’t.
Right-hander Luis Castillo, who is scheduled to start the finale of a three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday afternoon at Great American Ball Park, is learning this lesson as well.
After being promoted from Double-A, Castillo seemed reluctant to challenge major league hitters in the zone, leading to eight walks in his first 10 2/3 innings.