Anthony Rizzo is not the Cubs' savior.
Let's just get that out of the way to start.
But good things have been happening with the Cubs since the kid was called up, and Starlin Castro may be the biggest beneficiary.
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The Cubs are 4-1 since Rizzo's call-up. They also won the first game of the Mets series last Monday, when it was announced Rizzo would be making his debut Tuesday June 26.
In 73 games to start the 2012 season, Castro drew just seven walks. In the five games since Rizzo's arrival, Castro has four walks. He also drew a walk in that June 25 game, the day news of Rizzo's call-up broke.
Now, he's only seeing 3.65 pitches per plate appearance, which is just slightly above the 3.53 season average. And two of those four walks were intentional.
It also may have nothing to do with Rizzo at all. James Rowson, the new Cubs hitting coach, was in his second full week in the position at the start of this stretch, so it's quite possible he is having more of an impact on Castro than anything related to Rizzo.
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It's nice to see Castro taking strides, but even with his latest patient streak, the 22-year-old shortstop is only on pace for 23 walks. He walked 29 times in 125 games in 2010 and drew 35 free passes last year.
But if he can continue to improve his approach at the plate, Castro's game may be on its way to the next level.