Born07/14/1979 in Villa Vasquez, Dominican Republic
ProfileHt.: 5'10" / Wt.: 170 / Bats: S / Throws: R
Debut09/01/2005
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
Castro won a minor league stolen base title in each of his five pro seasons, topping the Pacific Coast League last year with 49 in 62 attempts. He extended his streak despite spraining the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee sliding into home plate in mid-August, ending his season five weeks early. The injury cost him the opportunity to chase his third straight Dominican League batting title, and Castro may not be ready for the start of spring training. Managers rated Castro the PCL's fastest baserunner, and he can get down the line from the plate to first base in 3.9-4.0 seconds. He does a good job of playing to his speed, making contact, keeping the ball on the ground, bunting skillfully and using the entire field. But while his average spiked in the hitter-friendly PCL, his walk rate declined. He'll need to get on base more to offset his lack of power. Defensively, Castro's arm presents a huge question mark. It's barely playable at second base, which is one of the deepest positions in the system. He does have the range, hands and double-play pivot for the position. The Padres eventually could give him a look in center field, though that's unlikely in 2004, when he'll again be Freddy Guzman's teammate in Triple-A.
Since being acquired from the Yankees for outfielder Kevin Reese in a rare prospect-for-prospect trade, Castro has won consecutive batting titles in the Dominican League the last two winters. In between, however, he hit a soft .260 in Double-A and had two years added to his age. His best tool is his speed, as he led the Southern League in steals. Managers rated him the league's best and fastest baserunner, as well as its most exciting player. The Padres knew he was fast but were surprised he was this fast: 3.8 seconds down the line on bunts, 3.9-4.0 seconds on grounders. Marcus Nettles has more pure speed, but he can't get to first base as quick as Castro. Castro plays to his speed by making contact, drawing walks and keeping the ball on the ground. He only had 16 extra-base hits last year, though as with Kennard Jones, the Padres say that's because of his approach and not a lack of strength. General manager Kevin Towers touted Castro as the club's second baseman of the future, but it's hard to believe he'll hold off Jake Gautreau and Josh Barfield without showing some more pop. He has improved defensively and is an average second baseman. His age jumped two years last offseason, so Castro wasn't young for Double-A last year. He'll need to show more with the bat in Triple-A in 2003, or else Gautreau might beat him to San Diego.
Straight prospect-for-prospect trades are rare, but the Padres pulled one off in September, sending outfielder Kevin Reese to the Yankees for Castro. While Reese was old for the Midwest League, he showed some offensive promise. So too has Castro, who's three years younger and led the South Atlantic League in stolen bases last year. He also adds to the middle- infield depth that San Diego has been trying to build. Clocked from the left side of the plate to first base in 3.6 seconds on a drag bunt, Castro has plus-plus speed. He's a potential leadoff man because he's a switch-hitter who has shown a willingness to draw walks. To bat atop a lineup, he'll need to stop chasing high fastballs and take the first pitch more often. His best defensive tool is his arm, while his hands and range are average. In time, he should be an asset at second base. Castro won the batting title in his native Dominican Republic this winter, and the Padres hope he can carry the momentum to high Class A this year.
Best Tools List
Rated Most Exciting Player in the Southern League in 2002
Rated Fastest Baserunner in the Southern League in 2002
Rated Best Baserunner in the Southern League in 2002
Rated Fastest Baserunner in the South Atlantic League in 2001
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