9/15 Counting down to 200

Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro is eight hits shy of 200 heading into Thursday’s game against the Reds. At 21 years old, Castro would become the youngest player in franchise history to reach 200, the first Cubs player ever to collect 200 as a shortstop, and only the fourth Major League player since 1940 to get 200 at 21 or younger.

The youngest Cubs players with 200 hits were Billy Herman (206 in 1932) and Augie Galen (203 in 1935), who were both 23.

In the last 71 years, starting in 1940, only Alex Rodriguez (215 hits, 1995 with Seattle), Garry Templeton (200 hits in 1977 with Mariners), and Vada Pinson (205 hits, 1959 with Reds) have collected 200 hits in a single season when they were 21 years old or younger.

Overall, Castro would become the 16th player in franchise history to reach the mark and would tally the 22nd overall season of 200 or more in team history.

– Carrie Muskat