Miguel Castro

Miguel Castro
Colorado Rockies – No. 46
Pitcher
Born: December 24, 1994 La Romana, Dominican Republic
Bats: Right Throws: Right
MLB debut
April 6, 2015, for the Toronto Blue Jays
MLB statistics (through 2016 season)
Win–loss record	0–3
Earned run average	6.12
Strikeouts	30
WHIP	1.67
Saves	4
Teams
Toronto Blue Jays (2015) Colorado Rockies (2015–present)

Miguel Ángel Castro (born December 24, 1994) is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher for the Colorado Rockies of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the Toronto Blue Jays.

Professional career

Minor league career

Castro signed with the Toronto Blue Jays as an international free agent in 2012, and received a $43,000 signing bonus.^[1] He made his professional debut in 2012 with the Dominican Summer League Blue Jays, and earned a 3–2 record, 4.73 earned run average, and 20 strikeouts in 20 ¹⁄₃ innings.^[2] Castro began the 2013 season with the Dominican Summer League Blue Jays, and was later promoted to the Gulf Coast League Blue Jays and Bluefield Blue Jays.^[3] In total, he posted a 6–2 record, 1.54 ERA, and 88 strikeouts in 70 innings pitched.^[2] His performance in the DSL earned him the Webster Award, given to the best Blue Jays prospect at each minor league level.^[4] In 2014, Castro continued his progression through the minor league system, earning promotions to the Vancouver Canadians, Lansing Lugnuts, and Dunedin Blue Jays. He earned an 8–3 record, a 2.69 ERA, and 78 strikeouts in 80 ¹⁄₃ innings spread across three minor league levels.^[2]

Castro was invited to 2015 spring training but was considered to be a long-shot to make the team, and General Manager Alex Anthopoulos stated before camp began that Castro would likely begin the 2015 season in Dunedin. However, after pitching 6 ²⁄₃ scoreless innings over 4 appearances, with 4 strikeouts and no walks, many believed that Castro had earned a spot on the roster.^[5][6][7] After Steve Delabar was optioned to minor league camp on March 26, it was reported that Castro would likely make the Opening Day roster as a reliever.^[8] His role in the bullpen was confirmed on March 31.^[9][10]

Toronto Blue Jays

Castro made his MLB debut on April 6, 2015 against the New York Yankees. He pitched 1 ¹⁄₃ innings and closed out the game as the Blue Jays won 6-1. At 20 years, 103 days old, Castro became the youngest pitcher to appear for the Blue Jays, breaking a nearly 38-year-old record held by Víctor Cruz. His record was short-lived, however, as it was broken only two days later by teammate Roberto Osuna.^[11] After a poor season debut by Brett Cecil, Castro was temporarily moved to the closer role on April 9.^[12] He earned his first MLB save that night, closing out a 6–3 win over the Yankees. Castro was moved back into a regular relief role in the bullpen on April 28, after recording 4 saves in 6 opportunities.^[13] On May 3, Castro was optioned to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons.^[14]

Colorado Rockies

On July 28, 2015, Castro was traded to the Colorado Rockies, along with José Reyes, Jeff Hoffman, and Jesus Tinoco, in exchange for Troy Tulowitzki and LaTroy Hawkins.^[15] The Rockies optioned him to the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes. He was called up by the Rockies on September 1 and made his Rockies debut that day.

Personal life

Castro was born in La Romana, Dominican Republic. His father was a boxer. Castro spent his $43,000 signing bonus on a prostate operation for his father, as well as a surgery to remove his mother's fibrous tumour.^[1]

References

1. Lott, John (March 27, 2015). "The unlikely rise of rookie Toronto Blue Jays pitchers Roberto Osuna and Miguel Castro". news.nationalpost.com. Retrieved March 27, 2015.
2. "Miguel Castro Minor League Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved February 17, 2015.
3. Elyahky, Edward (March 5, 2014). "Webster Award winner faces heightened expectations". torontoobserver.ca. Retrieved February 17, 2015.
4. "Blue Jays announce 2013 Webster Award winners". MLB.com. September 23, 2013. Retrieved February 17, 2015.
5. Chisholm, Gregor (March 17, 2015). "Castro continues to build case with stellar outing". MLB.com. Retrieved March 18, 2015.
6. Wise, Brandon (March 18, 2015). "Blue Jays pitcher Miguel Castro making case for spot on roster". cbssports.com. Retrieved March 18, 2015.
7. Wilner, Mike (March 17, 2015). "Jays' Castro, Osuna proving they belong in the show". Sportsnet. Retrieved March 18, 2015.
8. Chisholm, Gregor (March 26, 2015). "Castro, Osuna likely to make team". MLB.com. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
9. Chisholm, Gregor (April 1, 2015). "Blue Jays prospects Castro, Osuna earn bullpen spots". MLB.com. Retrieved April 1, 2015.
10. Nicholson-Smith, Ben (March 31, 2015). "Jays to open season with Castro, Osuna in bullpen". Sportsnet. Retrieved March 31, 2015.
11. Fidlin, Ken (April 8, 2015). "Blue Jays manager John Gibbons sees value in young reliever Roberto Osuna". torontosun.com. Retrieved April 9, 2015.
12. Gleeman, Aaron (April 9, 2015). "Blue Jays strip "not sharp" Brett Cecil of closer duties". hardballtalk.nbcsports.com. Retrieved April 9, 2015.
13. "Blue Jays shuffle bullpen, name Cecil closer". Sportsnet. April 28, 2015. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
14. "Blue Jays option Castro; Delabar, Jenkins recalled". Sportsnet. May 3, 2015. Retrieved May 3, 2015.
15. Chisholm, Gregor (July 28, 2015). "Tulo Toronto-bound; Rockies get Reyes". MLB.com. Retrieved July 28, 2015.

External links

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)