PHOENIX -- Many of Starlin Castro's All-Star teammates believe the young Chicago Cubs shortstop will only get better as he matures as a player.

The Colorado Rockies' Troy Tulowitzki, who will start at shortstop, is a big fan of the player who will replace him when he comes out of Tuesday's game.

"One thing that is similar [between us] is that we play the game hard," Tulowitzki said. "He doesn't give away at-bats, and one thing he is better at at a young age than I was is not letting the emotion get the best of you. He's very composed, very relaxed."

Castro, who at 21 is the youngest player in Cubs history to be chosen for the All-Star Game, seems to have caught the eye of many All-Stars, including Houston's Hunter Pence.

"Looking at Starlin, he makes things look easy," Pence said. "He's a lot more athletic than I am so he can make baseball look a lot easier even though he is going hard. He has a fluid rhythm about his game. His hitting is already outstanding. He has incredible hands. God made Castro with a lot of grace and style."

The New York Mets' Jose Reyes was the original choice to start at shortstop but went on the disabled list last week.

"He's a good player. Even though he is young he knows what he is doing out there," Reyes said. "He's fun to watch. He's 21 but he looks like a veteran out there. He can hit too so I think he will get better and better every year. We have some history. We came up in the same program in the Dominican [Republic] so I have known him five years, and I'm happy for him."

Castro brought his mother, father and two brothers with him to the game.

"He's probably very excited about the honor," Tulowitzki said. "I got to meet his family earlier which was pretty cool. And they just couldn't believe they were here which was pretty neat. From Day 1 I've been a fan of his. He seems to have his head on his shoulders and really plays the game the right way which is what I like about a young player."