9:52AM: Castro has been officially placed on the IL, the Tigers announced, and infielder Sergio Alcantara has been added to the active roster.
8:26AM: Tigers shortstop Willi Castro left Saturday’s game in the second inning due to right shoulder soreness, and manager Lloyd McClendon told The Athletic’s Cody Stavenhagen and other reporters that Castro will be placed on the 10-day injured list. The placement will allow the Tigers to add a healthy player to the roster for today’s final game of the regular season schedule (barring more potential action on Monday, depending on what happens with the Cardinals’ playoff situation).
Castro seemed to tweak his shoulder during a swing, though he finished his plate appearance and even delivered an RBI single for what ended up being the winning run in a 4-3 Tigers victory over the Royals. Castro was replaced by a pinch-runner after his hit, bringing a premature end to an outstanding rookie season. After posting only a .624 OPS over 110 PA in 2019, Castro exploded to hit .349/.381/.550 with six homers over 140 plate appearances this season.
A .448 BABIP is undoubtedly a big contributor to Castro’s production, and his Statcast numbers reveal some mediocre hard-hit ball and exit velocity totals. That said, Castro’s 9.6% barrel rate is above-average (64th percentile) and his .365 xwOBA is respectably close to his .387 wOBA. There’s plenty here for the Tigers to like about the 23-year-old, who came to the Motor City in the trade deadline swap with the Indians in 2018 that saw Leonys Martin head to Cleveland.
Castro seems to have earned himself a place in Detroit’s infield mix going forward, though it remains to be seen if he’ll stick at shortstop given a lackluster (-3.3 UZR/150, -7 Defensive Runs Saved) defensive showing over 212 1/3 innings at the position this season. Niko Goodrum delivered much better glovework when playing shortstop, so the Tigers could opt to try Castro out at second or third base in 2021. Conversely, Castro could get a longer look at shortstop to see if his defense can improve with more seasoning, and the Tigers could move Goodrum back into his old superutility role.
Should help the Tigers plenty next year and beyond.
A rare miss on a trade by the Indians. Hard to foresee whatever blood illness Martin got, but that trade gave us very little. Granted, Castro was blocked here by Lindor and Yu Chang, but they gave up a really good player for not much.
This probably will happen again, too. Pipeline has 9/30 of their top prospects are SS. And they probably are underrating Jose Fermin to not have him included. A smart team will get a trade done with Cleveland that ships them a useful rental for one of their many shortstops.
It hasn’t worked out for them, but it’s still worth considering just how much the advanced metrics seem to be skeptical of this. (Especially in a 60 game season with less of a sample size.)
It’s very possible that he ends up becoming a productive player, but it also wouldn’t have happened in Cleveland because he would either still be yet to play in the majors or they’d let him rot in a part time role like they have with Chang, Bradley (who I’m not a fan of but that’s beside the point), Jesus Aguilar, and basically any of their other mid-tier hitting prospects.
If Leonys Martin was anything other than terrible with the Indians (or if he hadn’t had the health scare after being acquired), this trade would have been better. But I don’t really think it’s a big deal.
While it appears Willi C. is a legitimate piece for the Tigers, the other Castro, Harold is also worth keeping an eye on. Versatile defensively and has some bat even as power is lacking. I like both Castros.
There are many rumors that Willi Castro is the illigitemate son of Raul Castro, the dictator of Cuba. If this is the case, Willi should consider buying a mansion in Veradero Beach, about three hours from Havana. Although Cuba is extremely corrupt, it is also very safe and they have a really good mix of rice and little black beans. However, in general the food is very bland and not very good. Fruit is very expensive in Cuba. Good luck to little Willi. Lets hope he becomes the next Mookie Wilson.
What are you talking about lmao??? Willi Castro is from Puerto Rico, not Cuba… not to mention Raúl Castro is like 90 years old, and Castro is an extremely common last name. Also Willi’s dad is named Liliano and was a former minor league player. Not sure what you smoked this morning
There is some evidence of this. And that Raul’s paramour (and Willi’s mama) is Charo, who was in Cuba when Willie was born.
They met in a hotel room paid for either Roger Stone or Jim Comey; it’s a little unclear.
I could see the Colombian president saying this. Well done.
2020 ROTY
I’d give Castro every chance to keep SS next year and move Goodrum back to super utility.
I drafted him in the 8th round of a 30 team APBA league based on his strides from 18 to 19 in the minors, and because the Tigers suck and he should be given chances, but I didn’t think he’d hit that well.
I kept waiting for him to fall off, but it never happened. He’s not a 900 OPS guy, but I think he’s a legit 800 guy.
I read that he improved his defense at SS during Spring Training, but I don’t think he’ll stick to SS long term.