Sveum excited by Castillo's upside

MILWAUKEE -- This is Welington Castillo's first season as a No. 1 catcher, and Cubs manager Dale Sveum said he can't wait to see how this year will pay off for the youngster next year.

Castillo has excelled defensively in blocking pitches and has thrown out 24 percent of base stealers, ranking 12th in fielding percentage among National League catchers. Sveum has seen improvement from the start.

"It's the first time he's been the guy," Sveum said Monday. "He's our No. 1 catcher, and his season has gradually gotten better and better and better. We're seeing the emergence of what he can do with the bat lately. I think there's still a lot more in that tank with that swing as soon as he gets more comfortable, it'll show next spring when he knows he's the guy and he's done it all and he can take a little more initiative."

Castillo was batting .294 in his last 10 games, hitting three of his seven home runs in that stretch.