What they're saying about Castillo, Givens, Schoop and Mancini

The Orioles liked Welington Castillo's bat when they signed him, and trusted that his 10 passed balls last season that tied for the National League lead weren't a true reflection of his defensive skills and whether he was reliable late in games with runners in scoring position.

Castillo has done a solid job, especially considering his abbreviated spring training due to his participation in the World Baseball Classic, and right shoulder tendinitis and a testicular injury that twice forced him on the disabled list.

Two passed balls Friday night at Tropicana Field raised Castillo's season total to four, but Ubaldo Jiménez crossed him up in the first inning after back-to-back walks to Mallex Smith and Corey Dickerson. Castillo wasn't expecting what Jiménez offered up to Evan Longoria, swiping at the ball late as it tailed inside, and both runners advanced.

Make that three free passes. Castillo gets one for Jiménez's mistake.

I'm taken back to a recent game at Camden Yards when Miguel Castro inherited a bases-loaded, one-out jam and retired both hitters without a run scoring. Castro bounced a pitch and Castillo made the backhanded grab and fired the ball to third base to nearly catch the runner scampering back to the bag.

"He's very active and you like to see that energy back there," said bench coach John Russell, who works with the catchers. "And he's not afraid to pick the bases. I think he's made a lot of progress since Day One."

Castillo spared Mychal Givens from back-to-back wild pitches last night in the sixth inning, lunging to his right to corral a slider with Blue Jays runners on second and third base. It's not often that you see a catcher lay out for a ball.

A changeup that Givens buried in the dirt got past Castillo later in the inning, but he slowed the ball and hustled back to retrieve it while José Bautista came halfway down the third base line. Justin Smoak walked on four pitches to load the bases, but Givens struck out Kendrys Morales to hold a 3-0 lead.

"I think he's made great strides," Russell said of Castillo. "He had a few games early in the year where he was, I wouldn't say 'lost,' I'd say he was questioning himself a little bit on how he was doing some things, but we stayed with it. And some things he was doing receiving. Continue to talk about game calling with him and Roger (McDowell) and make sure that we're trying to get the guys to execute pitches.

"He gets real frustrated because we haven't executed as well as we'd like to. But I think he's done really well. I told him the other day you watch these last six or seven games that he's caught, we're going to keep those kind of in the vault, because if he starts feeling something that he's not doing well, as far as receiving or the way he's setting up, we can go back to these few games because he's done a really good job. He's really centering balls well in his glove. He's blocking well, he's made some really good throws and he loves to play the game."

Givens tossed 1 2/3 scoreless innings last night to lower his ERA to 2.31 in 33 appearances covering 39 innings. He's won all six decisions to improve his major league record to 16-2.

Givens has allowed one run in his last 12 outings. He's walked two batters and struck out 17 in 15 2/3 innings.

"That's a guy that comes from the 'pen attacking the hitter," Castillo said after Givens recorded four key outs Saturday afternoon. "He's not going to be like, I don't want to say getting behind, but he's going to go right after you. 'You're going to hit me, or I'm going to get you out.' That's the kind of mentality that he has."

Second baseman Jonathan Schoop began last night with a .352 on-base percentage that ranked second on the club behind Trey Mancini (.366). An astounding improvement from his .298 OBP last season.

Schoop's drawn 17 walks, four short of last season's total. He's also been hit by pitches nine times, tied for second in the American League.

Last night's game was more of the same, minus the bruises. Schoop singled, doubled and scored two runs.

The patient at-bats are a sign of Schoop's maturation as a hitter. I'm reminded again of his walk in Chicago to load the bases after being behind 0-2 in the count that preceded Castillo's grand slam.

"It's not always a pure walk, it's just that Jon's not getting himself out as much," said manager Buck Showalter. "Like (Friday) night, he had a good night and his last at-bat he got jammed on a pop up. He was down the runway, he was not happy about the fact that he knew he had kind of thrown an at-bat away.

"Not many people here get you out at this level. You get some plus-stuff guys who give you the 'here it is' and just out-stuff you. Most of the time you get yourself out. Jon's done a good job with that this year. He's taken what they've given him. He's got a nice calmness about him. He's starting to really figure out who he is and what he's got to do to be successful. He's been very consistent," Showalter said.

Schoop collected his 23rd double last night. He ranked seventh in the majors going into the game.

It will be a shame if Schoop is denied a spot on the American League All-Star team, but the position is loaded. He's earned the honor.

Mancini had another hit last night while building his case for the All-Star Game. He's already won over teammates who appreciate his attitude and how smoothly he's blended in the clubhouse.

"I think that's a tribute to who he is as a person," said first baseman Chris Davis. "I've always thought he had a good head on his shoulders. Obviously, he can hit. I feel like he's hit at every level.

"He's a good dude. You can tell he doesn't take anything for granted. He's always working. He's a fun guy to be around. I think that the atmosphere we provide makes it a little bit easier. And obviously, times are a little bit different now than they were when I came up. But I think Trey is just a good person and I love seeing him have success."