Competition for Second Base: Is Josh Barfield a More Appealing Case Than Luis Castillo?

Luis Castillo was signed to a one-year deal with the Phillies, given Chase Utley’s knee injury, that basically gives Castillo until the start of the regular season (10 days) to prove he deserves to be on the major-league club. Castillo certainly hasn’t done anything to impress anyone so far, failing to report on time on his first day with the team and going 0-for-4 in his first start with the Phillies. Meanwhile, Josh Barfield, a former major league second baseman as well, has been having a monster spring thus far. The 28-year old Barfield has fallen from his former status as No. 1 prospect in the San Diego Padres’ organization, but he is 10-for-21 at the plate this spring, for an outstanding .476 batting average. Barfield has also played at third base and in the outfield this spring, although he has never played those positions in an official major-league game. Twenty one at-bats certainly doesn’t make a player, but as of now, Delwyn Young and Wilson Valdez are all but on the team...