Pirates A to Z: Diego Castillo was surprise of spring training, showed versatility as rookie
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During the offseason, the Tribune-Review will offer Pirates A to Z: An alphabetical, player-by-player look at the 40-man roster, from outfielder Miguel Andujar to pitcher Miguel Yajure.
Player: Diego Castillo
Positions: Shortstop/second base/right field
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Age: 25 (Oct. 28)
Height: 5-foot-11
Weight: 185 pounds
2022 MLB statistics: Slashed .206/.251/.382 with 13 doubles, 11 home runs and 29 RBIs in 96 games.
Contract: Not yet eligible for arbitration.
Acquired: From the New York Yankees, along with infielder/outfielder Hoy Park, for relief pitcher Clay Holmes in July 2021.
This past season: After the Pirates added Castillo to the 40-man roster following a season where he showed his power, the rookie used a sensational spring training where he led the club in batting (.371), home runs (six) and RBIs (12) to earn a spot on the Opening Day roster.
“When they told me,” Castillo said, “it was the best news of my life.”
Castillo had only been to one major league game in his life before his debut at St. Louis, when he replaced Ke’Bryan Hayes after the third baseman left with a spasm in his left hand and wrist.
The next day, Castillo drilled a 1-0 sinker off T.J. McFarland for a pinch-hit double to right field and his first big league hit.
“Best moment of my life,” Castillo said.
"I've never seen that."
After being plunked by a pitch he whiffed on, No. 21 @Pirates prospect Diego Castillo left the yard on the very next offering for his first MLB home run. pic.twitter.com/6Rc7FNWpyt
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) April 19, 2022
The moments continued, as Castillo played in 96 games for the Pirates — second among rookies only to outfielder Jack Suwinski — and more positions than anyone other than Josh VanMeter.
That made Castillo something of a veteran in the youth movement.
“The good thing for me is that I’ve been here all year, starting from Opening Day, and I’ve been learning a lot from the veteran guys,” Castillo said. “I know how they deal with baseball. I know how they do things here in the clubhouse. Every time I see one of my teammates come from the minor leagues, I tell them they don’t like it when you do this or this. One day, we’re all going to be veterans. We’ve got to learn.
“We’re young. I told them, ‘When you’re here, the next day you’ve got to forget about it.’ That’s the key in the major leagues. Forget about your age. You’ve got to play like you’ve got 10 years in the big leagues.”
What a pretty play by Diego Castillo ???? pic.twitter.com/jyO9LyXQiW
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) June 14, 2022
The Pirates trusted Castillo’s glove enough that he played 32 games at shortstop — bridging the gap between Kevin Newman going on the injured list and Oneil Cruz being promoted from Triple-A — 28 at second base, 22 in right field, seven at first base and four at third.
Castillo had never played first base in his life before Pirates bench coach Don Kelly approached him about taking grounders there during an infield practice.
“I used his glove,” Castillo said. “He said, ‘You will need it one day.’ It was that day.”
No wonder Pirates manager Derek Shelton constantly talked about how Castillo is a “baseball player” who has the ability to do whatever he’s asked. He even pitched in two games, both against the Chicago Cubs, giving up a grand slam to Alfonso Rivas in a 14-5 loss on June 22.
“He reacts to things. He listens. He learns,” Shelton said. “When he makes a mistake, most likely he’s not making it again — just because his baseball IQ is really high.”
The problem for Castillo’s was his struggles against right-handed pitching, against which he hit .167. The Pirates optioned Castillo to Indianapolis, where he batted .246/.331/.358 with six doubles, three homers and 12 RBIs in 35 games before a mid-September recall.
Castillo finished with 11 home runs, combining with Suwinski (19) and Cruz (17) to become the first trio of rookies in franchise history to hit double-digit dingers.
The future: Where the Pirates were pleasantly surprised by Castillo’s power early in the season, his struggles against righties, breaking balls (.144 batting average) and low walk rate (4.9%) were concerns.
Castillo could compete for a starting spot at second base, where he’s currently behind Newman and Rodolfo Castro in the pecking order. His versatility makes Castillo a more likely candidate to be a utility infielder who can play right field in a pinch.
Castillo’s attitude could take him as far as his ability. He has a positive mindset and willingness to play anywhere, which the Pirates like. He attributes that to his time in the Yankees’ competitive farm system.
“I think I’m pretty good at dealing with failure,” Castillo said. “This is a game where you’re going to fail a lot. You’ve got to forget about it and go to the next page. Whether you do well or you do bad, you’ve got to go to the next page. This game’s like that. That’s the key in my mind. Every time I do a good play or an error and strike out, next page. Forget about that.
“I come from the Yankees. If you don’t play like that, you probably don’t have any chance to play. … Whatever you do, you’ve got to go to the next page, next inning and keep playing.”