Miguel Castro

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

For the Chilean Olympic athlete, see Miguel Castro (athlete).
Miguel Castro
Castro pitching with the Orioles in June 2018
New York Mets – No. 50
Pitcher
Born: (1994-12-24) December 24, 1994
La Romana, Dominican Republic
Bats: Right Throws: Right
MLB debut
April 6, 2015, for the Toronto Blue Jays
MLB statistics
(through 2020 season)
Win–loss record8–18
Earned run average4.29
Strikeouts234
Teams

Professional career

Toronto Blue Jays

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]

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 Jesús 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. On April 2, 2017, Castro was designated for assignment.[16]

Baltimore Orioles

On April 7, 2017, Castro was traded to the Baltimore Orioles for cash considerations or a player to be named later (Jon Keller).[17] He debuted for the Orioles on May 17 against the Detroit Tigers, striking out one batter in one scoreless inning of relief. He pitched two scoreless innings the following day as well. In his first season with Baltimore, he posted an ERA of 3.53 in 39 games.

The following season, he appeared in 63 appearances, posting an ERA of 3.96 in ​86 1⁄3 innings. He shared the major league lead in balks, with three.[18]

New York Mets

On August 31, 2020, Castro was traded to the New York Mets for pitcher Kevin Smith and Victor Gonzalez.[19][20]

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.
  16. Saunders, Patrick. Kyle Freeland officially makes Rockies roster; Miguel Castro designated for assignment. MLB.com. Retrieved April 2, 2017.
  17. "Orioles acquire RHP Miguel Castro from the Colorado Rockies". MLB.com. April 7, 2017. Archived from the original on April 8, 2017. Retrieved April 7, 2017.
  18. Major League Leaderboards » 2018 » Pitchers » Standard Statistics | FanGraphs Baseball
  19. "Mets acquire R. Chirinos, Frazier, Castro". MLB.com. Retrieved 2020-08-31.
  20. Trezza, Joe (September 20, 2020). "O's wrap up Mets deal, make trade with Bucs". MLB.com. Retrieved September 20, 2020.

Awards and achievements
Preceded by
Dilson Herrera		 Youngest Player in the National League
2015		 Succeeded by
Julio Urías
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