Ryan Casteel
Ryan Alexander Casteel (born June 6, 1991) is an American professional baseball catcher who is a free agent.
Ryan Casteel | |||
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Free agent | |||
Catcher / First baseman | |||
Born: Chattanooga, Tennessee | June 6, 1991|||
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Career
Casteel attended Bradley Central High School in Cleveland, Tennessee. After graduating, he went unselected in the 2009 Major League Baseball (MLB) Draft. Though he had previously accepted a scholarship to attend the University of Tennessee and play college baseball for the Tennessee Volunteers on a scholarship, Casteel rejected the scholarship, and enrolled at Cleveland State Community College, also in Cleveland.[1][2] This way, Casteel would be eligible for the MLB Draft earlier.[3]
The Colorado Rockies selected Casteel in the 17th round of the 2010 MLB Draft.[2] He began his professional career with the Casper Ghosts of the Rookie-level Pioneer League, and had a .305 batting average. The next year, he had a .273 batting average with the Tri-City Dust Devils of the Class A-Short Season Northwest League. In 2012, he played for the Asheville Tourists of the Class A South Atlantic League, and batted .279.[3]
In 2013, he played for the Modesto Nuts of the Class A-Advanced California League. He was named a midseason All-Star and the California League's Catcher of the Year.[4][5] He then played for the Melbourne Aces of the Australian Baseball League (ABL) for the 2013–14 ABL season.[6][7] Casteel played in the ABL All-Star Game[8] and won the Helms Award as the ABL's Most Valuable Player.[9]
In 2014, Casteel played for the Tulsa Drillers of the Class AA Texas League, where he was named an All-Star.[2][5] After the 2014 season, the Rockies assigned Casteel to the Salt River Rafters of the Arizona Fall League.[5] Casteel spent the 2015 season with the Albuquerque Isotopes of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League.[10]
In December 2016, Casteel signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners.[11]
On February 7, 2018, Casteel signed with the Lancaster Barnstormers of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball[12] He became a free agent following the 2018 season.
On January 25, 2019, Casteel signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves.[13] He became a free agent on November 2, 2020.
References
- "McDade, Casteel have draft ideas". timesfreepress.com. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
- "Texas League notebook: Colorado Rockies' Ryan Casteel comes back strong with Tulsa Drillers – Texas League News". Texas League. Retrieved October 24, 2014.
- "Still on track: Casteel moving up in minor leagues". timesfreepress.com. Retrieved October 24, 2014.
- "Beek's Blog: Casteel went from back-up to top of league's catchers". Archived from the original on October 24, 2014. Retrieved October 24, 2014.
- "Cleveland Daily Banner – Rockies choose Ryan Casteel to play in AFL". Archived from the original on October 24, 2014. Retrieved October 24, 2014.
- "Casteel, Massey continue development in Melbourne". Colorado Rockies. Retrieved October 24, 2014.
- "Casteel and Massey Friendship Grows During Winter Ball in Australia". Archived from the original on October 24, 2014. Retrieved October 24, 2014.
- http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/more-sports/melbourne-aces-all-star-ryan-casteel-excited-about-taking-on-australias-best/story-fnibbyyv-1226783941367?nk=9349b278095bfe5a2c1f8e9c5b70cb4d
- Tyler Maun (April 14, 2014). "Casteel named Helms winner at BADAs". Australian Baseball League. Retrieved October 17, 2014.
Casteel named Helms winner at BADAs
- Ken Sickenger - Journal Staff Writer. "Isotopes catcher enjoying his alter ego's fame". Retrieved February 12, 2016.
- Eddy, Matt (December 24, 2016). "Minor League Transactions: Dec. 10-22". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved December 24, 2016.
- "Sandford, Frias Return to Lancaster". Lancaster Barnstormers. Retrieved February 7, 2018.
- "Ryan Casteel Signs with Atlanta". Lancaster Barnstormers. January 25, 2019. Retrieved January 25, 2019.