Flashback Friday - Starlin Castro

Starlin Castro put himself on the map when he made his Major League debut in 2010. He hit a three-run homer in his very first at bat, and would go on to drive in six runs that day on his way to setting the Major League record for most RBI in a debut. Just days before making quite the first impression to Cubs fans, he wore a Tennessee Smokies jersey.

Castro made his debut with the Smokies in August 2009 after fantastic performance with High-A Daytona. He would return to Tennessee again for the beginning of the 2010 campaign. In his 57 games combined in a Smokies uniform, Castro compiled a .332 average, along with 73 hits and 34 RBI. He was memorialized in bobblehead form in 2011 as an exclusive giveaway at Smokies Stadium.

That same year, he made himself the youngest player to lead the National League in hits, accumulating 207 base knocks. Castro would also be named to the All-Star team, becoming the youngest Chicago Cubs player to be honored as an All-Star. He would return for his second All-Star Game the very next season, and would go on to lead the National League in total at bats with 646.

After suffering a strained right hamstring early during spring training, Castro is looking hopeful to be on the field for Opening Day in Pittsburgh to begin the 2014 slate. He has been making his way back to playing form, taking more at bats and spending more time at the shortstop position. There had been some speculation of his return, but he says that he feels good and is ready to be on the baseball diamond.

Many star players have etched their name in Smokies history and the 2014 crop of Tennessee Smokies will look to join them and continue to develop their skills in hopes of one day reaching the Major Leagues. And when they do reach that spot, they'll be hoping to make the same first impression 2009-10 Smokies shortstop Starlin Castro made in his Major League debut.