Miguel Ángel Castro (born December 24, 1994) is a Dominican professional baseball relief pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Toronto Blue Jays, Colorado Rockies, Baltimore Orioles, New York Mets, New York Yankees, and Arizona Diamondbacks. Castro signed with the Blue Jays as an international free agent in 2012, and made his MLB debut in 2015.

Miguel Castro
Castro pitching for the Baltimore Orioles in 2018
Free agent
Pitcher
Born: (1994-12-24) December 24, 1994 (age 29)
La Romana, Dominican Republic
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
April 6, 2015, for the Toronto Blue Jays
MLB statistics
(through 2024 season)
Win–loss record22–28
Earned run average4.20
Strikeouts410
Saves14
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams

Professional career

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Toronto Blue Jays

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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 2013 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 8013 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 623 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 113 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

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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

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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+13 innings. He shared the major league lead in balks, with three.[18] In 2019 for the Orioles, Castro appeared in 65 games, allowing a career-high 10 home runs in 73+13 innings of work, registering a 4.66 ERA.[19]

New York Mets

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On August 31, 2020, the Orioles traded Castro to the New York Mets for pitcher Kevin Smith and Victor Gonzalez.[20][21] In 2020, Castro pitched in 26 games between the Orioles and Mets, recording a 4.01 ERA with 38 strikeouts in 24+23 innings pitched.[22] In 2021, Castro recorded a career-low 3.45 ERA along with 77 strikeouts and 43 walks in 70+13 innings.

On March 22, 2022, Castro signed a $2.62 million contract with the Mets, avoiding salary arbitration.[23]

New York Yankees

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On April 3, 2022, the Mets traded Castro to the New York Yankees for Joely Rodríguez.[24][25] On August 1, he was placed on the 60-day injured list with a right shoulder strain.[26] He was activated on October 3.[27] In 34 games for New York, Castro registered a 4.03 ERA with 31 strikeouts in 29.0 innings pitched.

Arizona Diamondbacks

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On December 2, 2022, Castro signed a one-year contract with an option for 2024 with the Arizona Diamondbacks.[28] He made a league–high 75 appearances for Arizona in 2023, recording a 4.31 ERA with 60 strikeouts and 7 saves across 64+23 innings pitched.

Castro made 11 appearances for the Diamondbacks in 2024, struggling to a 5.93 ERA with 8 strikeouts over 13+23 innings of work. Castro was designated for assignment by Arizona on July 30, 2024.[29] He was released the following day.[30]

Personal life

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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

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  1. ^ a b 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. ^ a b c "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. Archived from the original on February 17, 2015. Retrieved February 17, 2015.
  5. ^ Chisholm, Gregor (March 17, 2015). "Castro continues to build case with stellar outing". MLB.com. Archived from the original on March 21, 2015. 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. Archived from the original on March 28, 2015. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
  9. ^ Chisholm, Gregor (April 1, 2015). "Blue Jays prospects Castro, Osuna earn bullpen spots". MLB.com. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. 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. Archived from the original on July 31, 2015. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  16. ^ Saunders, Patrick (April 2, 2017). Kyle Freeland officially makes Rockies roster; Miguel Castro designated for assignment. Retrieved April 2, 2017. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  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". www.fangraphs.com.
  19. ^ "Miguel Castro's 2019 slump may have just been growing pains". February 14, 2020.
  20. ^ "Mets acquire R. Chirinos, Frazier, Castro". MLB.com. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  21. ^ Trezza, Joe (September 20, 2020). "O's wrap up Mets deal, make trade with Bucs". MLB.com. Retrieved September 20, 2020.
  22. ^ "Miguel Castro may be an important piece for the Mets' bullpen". March 18, 2021.
  23. ^ "Arbitration Tracker For 2022". MLBTradeRumors. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
  24. ^ Hoch, Bryan (April 3, 2022). "Yanks acquire Miguel Castro in trade with Mets". MLB.com. Retrieved April 3, 2022.
  25. ^ "Yankees get Miguel Castro from Mets for Joely Rodriguez". ESPN.com. Associated Press. April 3, 2022. Retrieved April 3, 2022.
  26. ^ "Yankee Move Luis Severino, Miguel Castro to 60-Day Injured List; What it Means". si.com. August 2022. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
  27. ^ "Yankees activate Miguel Castro from 60-day IL". pinstripealley.com. October 3, 2022. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  28. ^ "D-backs ink veteran reliever Castro to 1-year deal". December 3, 2022.
  29. ^ "Diamondbacks Place Christian Walker On 10-Day IL, Designate Miguel Castro". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  30. ^ "Miguel Castro: Released by Arizona". cbssports.com. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
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