Castillo's versatility, bat should make impact with Pirates this year

DUNEDIN, Fla. – The Pirates will almost surely head into 2022 without a clear cut second baseman, partially because of the shorter spring training ramp up, and partially because they have more than a handful of options.

Kevin Newman, Cole Tucker and Michael Chavis are the most experienced out of the bunch, and the perceived front runners for opening day jobs. Rodolfo Castro, Tucupita Marcano and Hoy Park may not be among the team’s top prospects, but they all were intriguing to the Pirates last year and made their big-league debuts in 2021.

Then there is Diego Castillo. The 24-year-old infielder was acquired from the Yankees last July alongside Park in the Clay Holmes trade. 

He isn’t just limited to second base, though.

“I love the infield,” Castillo was telling me. “Third base, shortstop, second base, it’s the same [to me].”

Castillo got the start at third and picked up a hit, his third already this spring, in the Pirates’ 10-4 loss to the Blue Jays Sunday at TD Ballpark.

Positional flexibility is a key for this Pirates team, especially when they are still in an exploratory part of their rebuild, seeing which players could stick in which roles.

Last year, Castillo played at least 180 innings at second, third and shortstop, and while he most likely profiles best as second, being able to bounce around is only a plus.

“There are nine spots on the field,” Derek Shelton said. “If you can fill positionally four of ‘em, you have a better chance of playing.”

But when Castillo does inevitably get called up, it will be for his bat first. 

After years of below average results in Class A, something clicked for Castillo during the pandemic shutdown that he carried over into the 2021 season.

“I didn’t know if I was going to play, so I was still going to the gym and cages,” Castillo said. “Having faith that I’d come back one day.”

They weren’t major adjustments, mostly focusing on approach rather than mechanical that winter, but he saw his ground ball rate drop and get more hits in the air with line drives and fly balls. Across Class AA and AAA last year, he slashed .278/.355/.487 with 19 home runs and 24 doubles. 

With those power numbers, Castillo went from late-bloomer to fast-riser in the Yankees’ and Pirates’ system a year ago. When he was set to become a minor-league free agent at the end of the year, the Pirates instead added him to the roster, believing he would have been offered major-league deals elsewhere. They were most likely right.

A trip to the majors is almost certain this year, but he’s not going to press to try to get there sooner.

“I can’t control that,” Castillo said. “If I’m going to Pittsburgh or going to Indianapolis, I’m going to be enjoying the game, playing hard.”

MORE FROM THE GAME

• Dillon Peters and Bryse Wilson were the two main pitchers who went Sunday that are competing for opening day rotation spots. 

Peters was burned when Alejandro Kirk was able to pull a pitch off the plate for a two-run homer, his only blemish in his two frames.

Wilson showed some extra velocity that he didn't have last year, sitting around 93-95 mph for most of his outing, but he was tagged for five hits and three runs, including a homer, in his only inning.

For Peters, he needs the make the team out of spring training or be exposed to waivers. While he is a starter by trade, a bullpen role -- either as a swingman or middle reliever -- could give the 29-year-old southpaw that chance in the majors.

Shelton brought up pregame that the rotation will be "fluid" this year, so even if it's a bullpen job early on, Peters could also transition back to a starter.

“I think that this game produces a ton of unpredictable moments," Peters said. "We’re trained to be ready for those, whether that’s a rain delay or you’re getting pushed back two days in the rotation or you’re going to throw on short rest. You’ve go to be ready for that. That’s what we train for; this isn’t high school or college baseball.”

• The Pirates are up to eight home runs this spring after Mason Martin and Bligh Madris both homered.

Martin requires no introduction as the high-power, high-strikeout rate first baseman who could be a starter in the majors if he cut down on the latter. Madris, a corner outfielder, was Indianapolis' rookie of the year last year. 

• Even in a 10-run outing for the pitchers, Roansy Contreras was a major bright spot for the Pirates, ramping up his fastball to 99.4 mph and throwing the five fastest pitches of the afternoon.

He's in the same boat as Oneil Cruz. They both spent most of last season in Altoona, so the very safe bet is they'll start in Indianapolis, but will spend a lot of time in the majors in 2022.

• Speaking of Cruz, he was asked Sunday how he was able to hit that home run at his ankles in Saturday's win.

“I’m going to be honest with you, I don’t even know how I hit that ball," Cruz joked through interpreter Mike Gonzalez.

Cruz again stated that he felt he was ready for the majors now. Shelton was a little less bullish.

"I think there’s still development to be had there," Shelton said. "Oneil is gonna have an impact on our club this year at some point. When that is, I don’t think any of us know. But the fact that he’s gonna play multiple positions, he’s continuing to learn to swing the bat, and there is development there. His confidence in that, I love that. I love that he feels that way personally, but I think there are areas of growth in the full game and development that we’re going to continue to talk about and I think are going to continue to expand."

• Mitch Keller is fine after being hit in the left thigh with a line drive in Saturday's game. He does not anticipate it impacting his preparation for the season.

• Who threw today: Anthony Banda threw a scoreless frame and Sam Howard allowed a solo shot while striking out two.

THE SCHEDULE

The Pirates will head to Port Charlotte, Fla. to take on the Rays Monday. José Quintana will be the first pitcher for the Pirates, with first pitch coming at 1:05 p.m. I'll be there for it.

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