The Mets signed infielder Diego Castillo to a minor league contract, as reflected on the MLB.com transaction log. Venezuelan journalist Georgeny Pérez first reported the move last week.
Castillo, not to be confused with the reliever of the same name, is a 27-year-old utilityman. He played in four games for the Twins last season, collecting two hits in six at-bats. Minnesota outrighted him off the 40-man roster in July. He spent the rest of the season in Triple-A before electing minor league free agency. The righty-hitting infielder turned in a solid .261/.364/.397 slash with nearly as many walks as strikeouts in 113 games.
It was the second straight season in which Castillo spent a few days in the majors. His only significant big league experience came with the Pirates in 2022. He hit .206/.251/.382 while striking out at a 26.5% clip over 283 plate appearances. Castillo has shown much better strike zone discipline in Triple-A, where he’s a .283/.393/.403 hitter over four seasons. He has minimal power but a good upper minors track record and the ability to bounce around the infield.
This is technically Castillo’s second stint with the Mets. He spent exactly a week on their 40-man roster in January 2024. New York grabbed him off waivers from Arizona and designated him for assignment seven days later. He subsequently bounced around the league via waivers before landing with the Twins in a minor trade in April. Castillo has an option remaining, so the Mets could shuttle him between Queens and Triple-A Syracuse if he secures a 40-man roster spot during the regular season.
Never know? Why not? Diamond in rough…stash him in AAA….they’ve been tracking him…
He had a weird approach his first time up which was not like his contact/OBP minor league style — at one point he went 7-for-42 with 6 of those hits being home runs…might have been pressing a bit.
Jabroni
What’s your evidence?
I don’t see any evidence. I only see self hatred projected on a single nearly anonymous AAAA baseball player.
Slow news day
I just learned today that there are two Diego Castillos. This one and the pitcher currently with the Rockies. I had just assumed the infielder changed to pitching, but I guess not. Learn something new every day.
This Diego Castillo was waived and claimed about five times last off season before being traded to Minnesota. Each and every article reminded us that he is not the pitcher.
Well I am glad you have the time to memorize each and every article about Diego Castillo. I prefer to spend my time doing other things.
Tsk. Too sensitive. No one memorized anything. Reports were coming out with every time he moved. Everyone out here was noticing it and joking about it.
The Mets have found a way to cycle through fringe talent without ever losing control of their best depth pieces. Congratulations!