Simon Castro

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Chicago White Sox #20 prospect in 2013
  Castro ranked as one of the top prospects in the Padres system, leading the low Class A Midwest League in strikeouts (157) in 2009 and skipping a level and ranking second in the Double-A Texas League in ERA (2.92) in 2010. But his career took a downturn after he gave up two runs in the first inning of the 2010 Futures Game, and San Diego packaged him with Pedro Hernandez in a trade for Carlos Quentin in December 2011. Castro still has a low-90s fastball that can touch 95, but he's having trouble rounding out his repertoire. His low-80s slider has regressed and lost bite, his changeup is average at times and he flashes a splitter that might play well in the bullpen. He has significant issues repeating his delivery, costing him velocity and command. He spent time on the disabled list in the second half of 2012 with what the White Sox called general soreness before finishing the season on a tight pitch count. Chicago is tempted to make him a reliever but probably will give him one more chance as a starter when he returns to Triple-A this year.
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  Ranked San Diego Padres #14 prospect in 2012
  Castro jumped from short-season ball to Double-A in the span of two seasons, winning the Midwest League strikeout crown in 2009 and then finishing runner-up in the Texas League ERA race a year later. He seemed poised for big things in 2011 as he tackled Triple-A for the first time, but his bubble burst early. Castro landed on the disabled list with a lat injury after six starts for Tucson yielded a 10.17 ERA. He recovered somewhat after a demotion to Double-A in June, and he closed out the season with a 2.53 ERA and a 35-5 KBB ratio over his final seven starts. Castro always has pitched with a long arm action, but he struggled to repeat his mechanics for much of 2011. He got out of whack, failed to extend on the front side of his delivery and also recoiled his arm. Castro's velocity dipped into the low 90s early before he recovered to pitch at 92-94 mph and touch 96 with tailing action. His slider showed its trademark late bite and 82-84 mph velocity at times, though just as often it resembled a slurve. His mid-80s changeup could become a fringy pitch with more refinement. One of the organization's most dogged workers, Castro could benefit from his first dose of failure in the long run. If he rediscovers his two plus pitches and control, he still profiles as a mid-rotation starter or set-up man.
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  Ranked San Diego Padres #3 prospect in 2011
  Castro led the low Class A Midwest League with 157 strikeouts in 2009, so the Padres felt comfortable jumping him to Double-A San Antonio last season. He was up to the challenge, topping the Texas League in WHIP (1.10) and opponent average (.223) while ranking second in ERA (2.92). He also started for the World Team at the Futures Game, allowing two runs in an inning of work. Big and durable, Castro has an ideal pitcher's build that has been likened to that of a young Jose Contreras. He sits at 91-93 mph and tops out near 95 with tailing action and occasional late sink. He relies on his 82-84 mph slider as a second pitch, and it features three-quarters break when he catches it right. He wears out the bottom of the zone with both pitches. Castro shows a feel for a sinking changeup that has average potential, though it still needs refinement. He has a long arm swing in the back of his delivery, but he repeats his mechanics well and throws strikes. Newly added to the 40-man roster, Castro is on track to begin 2011 in Triple-A and could be ready for a second-half promotion to San Diego. He profiles as a mid-rotation starter, but some scouts view his ultimate ceiling as a No. 2, which he could reach with improved command.
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  Ranked San Diego Padres #2 prospect in 2010
  Castro intrigued the Padres with his raw arm strength even while posting a 5.46 ERA in Rookie ball in his first two pro seasons. He started refining his command in 2008 and took a huge step forward last season, when he led the low Class A Midwest League in strikeouts (157 in 140 innings) and threw a seven-inning no-hitter in August. He helped Fort Wayne win the league title, allowing only one run in two playoff starts. Castro throws a 92-93 mph fastball with life down in the zone. He can dial up his riding, four-seam fastball to 95-96 and blow the ball past hitters upstairs. He throws a nasty low-80s slider that features hard, late break and is tough on righthanders. He has made steady improvements to his delivery, staying online to the plate and improving his extension. He earns high marks for his work ethic. Castro's slider can get big on him at times, and he's still refining what figures to be an average changeup. With a true swing-and-miss fastball, he needs to make a concerted effort to emphasize his secondary weapons in game situations. Castro slashed his walk rate last season and if that trend continues, he has the stuff and durability to profile as at least a No. 3 starter. He also could make a dynamic closer if needed. He should reach Double-A San Antonio at some point in 2010.
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  Ranked San Diego Padres #14 prospect in 2009
  Castro has been on the Padres' radar since his 2006 debut in the Dominican Summer League. Inconsistent command has held him back, but few San Diego farmhands can match his raw arm strength. The 6-foot-5 Castro, who physically resembles Jose Contreras, began to show results to match his stuff and presence in 2008. He ranked second in the Northwest League in opponent average (.223) and third in strikeouts per nine innings (8.8). Castro throws a 92-95 mph fastball that peaks at 97-98, but his control needs refinement. His arm stroke is long, clean and loose, but he often flies open in his delivery, affecting his arm slot and control. Castro's secondary pitches are works in progress. He'll flash an above-average slider at times, but he lacks confidence in the pitch and often fails to get on top of it. His 84-85 mph changeup shows average potential. Castro has room for even more projection and he takes instruction well, so he could develop into a frontline starter or power reliever if he gets his delivery under control. He's finally ready for a shot at full-season ball in 2009.
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  Ranked San Diego Padres #31 prospect in 2008
  After the 2006 trades of Jose Ceda, Evan Meek and Joel Santo--and after losing Joakim Soria in the major league Rule 5 draft that December--Castro has perhaps the best raw power arm in the Padres system. He made his U.S. debut in 2007, striking out 55 in 51 innings in the Rookie-level Arizona League, but also walking 30, plunking nine and uncorking 12 wild pitches. San Diego worked with him in instructional league to get him more under control without sacrificing his aggressiveness. Castro is long, loose and highly projectable, and his fastball explodes out his hand at 92-93 mph and touches 96. He gets good extension on his heater and the pitch shows good armside run and sink. Castro's changeup is his second-best offering at this stage, but it's average at best. He hasn't yet developed feel for a breaking ball, but his slider has the potential to become a solid pitch in time. When he struggles, Castro flies open in his delivery, his arm drags and he loses his arm slot. The Padres believe that Castro will take off once he stays on top of his pitches consistently. He probably isn't ready for full-season ball, so he could open 2008 in extended spring training before heading to short-season Eugene.
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  Ranked San Diego Padres #28 prospect in 2007
  Despite a shaky showing in instructional league and not yet pitching in the U.S., Castro has one of the highest ceilings among pitchers in the organization. After trading pitchers Evan Meek, Jose Ceda, Joel Santo and Cesar Rojas last summer--and after losing Joakim Soria in the major league Rule 5 draft--Castro is one of the best raw power arms remaining in the system. He already possesses a plus fastball with life at 93-96 mph. Castro gets good extension on his fastball and the pitch shows good armside sink and run. He has an outstanding pitcher's body--short torso, long arms and legs--and shows good arm action. Castro pitches from a high three-quarters delivery and sometimes drops his elbow, guiding the ball to the plate, but this is common in young pitchers and easily correctable. He has the makings of a changeup, but tends to get under and around his slider. Both pitches need a lot of work. Castro has excellent makeup and has a chance to develop into a frontline starting pitcher.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Texas League #8 prospect in 2010
  After Castro's breakout 2009 season in low Class A, the Padres skipped him a level to San Antonio this year. He was consistent from beginning to end, leading the TL in opponent average (.223). Castro has a big, strong frame that has made him durable as a pro. His fastball sits in the low 90s and peaks at 95 mph, and he does a good job of keeping his fastball down in the zone. His slider is inconsistent but shows late break when it's working, and he has good arm speed and deception on his changeup. Castro has a deliberate delivery that's long in the back, but he's doing a better job of repeating it and steadily has improved his command as a pro.
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  Ranked Midwest League #7 prospect in 2009
  Castro's arm strength has been evident since he made his pro debut three years ago, and he started to make the jump from thrower to pitcher in 2009. He led the MWL with 157 strikeouts in 140 innings, spun a seven-inning no-hitter against Dayton in August, then no-hit South Bend for 6 2/3 innings before reaching his pitch count in the playoff opener. Big and physical with a quick arm, Castro sits at 92-94 mph with his fastball, using a two-seamer for grounders and a four-seamer for strikeouts up in the zone. His low-80s slider has hard, late break and is tough on righthanders. He did a much better job of repeating his sound delivery and throwing strikes this year, and he should be able to succeed as a starter if he can refine his changeup.
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  Ranked Northwest League #14 prospect in 2008
  Castro has struggled with his command in three seasons as a pro, but he started to make progress in the NWL and his upside is significant. His 6-foot-5, 210-pound frame is similar to that of Jose Contreras, and he can be an intimidating presence on the mound. He goes after hitters with a 92-95 mph that can touch 96-97 and could pick up more velocity as he continues to fill out. His second-best pitch is an 84-85 mph changeup with glove-side life, but he often throws it too hard. His slider has the potential to become a solid-average offering, though he tends to throw it in the dirt. His delivery is fine, but he needs to work on repeating it in order, which could be a challenge with his size and modest athleticism. The Padres are trying to get him to keep closed in his delivery, because when he flies open, his arm drags and he loses his arm slot, precluding him from throwing consistent strikes.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #58 prospect in 2011
• Ranked Baseball America's #57 prospect in 2010

• December, 2011 Scouting Report
  Background: Castro led the low Class A Midwest League with 157 strikeouts in 2009 and finished second in the Double-A Texas League with a 2.92 ERA a year later. He endured a miserable 2011, landing on the disabled list with a lat injury after six terrible Triple-A starts. After a demotion to Double-A in June, he had a 2.53 ERA and a 35-5 K-BB ratio over his final seven starts. The Padres traded him and lefty Pedro Hernandez to the White Sox for Carlos Quentin in December.Scouting Report: Castro always has pitched with a long arm action, and his mechanics got out of whack after he started the 2010 Futures Game. He failed to extend on the front side of his delivery and also recoiled his arm, affecting his stuff and command. Castro's fastball velocity dipped early in 2011 before he recovered to pitch at 92-94 mph and touch 96 with tailing action. His slider showed its trademark late bite and 82-84 mph velocity at times, though just as often it resembled a slurve. His mid-80s changeup could become a fringy pitch with more refinement.The Future: Castro could benefit from his first dose of failure in the long run. If he rediscovers his two plus pitches and control, he profiles as a mid-rotation starter or set-up man.
• December, 2009 Scouting Report
  Castro intrigued the Padres with his raw arm strength even while posting a 5.46 ERA in Rookie ball in his first two pro seasons. He started refining his command in 2008 and took a huge step forward last season, when he led the low Class A Midwest League in strikeouts (157 in 140 innings) and threw a seven-inning no-hitter in August. He helped Fort Wayne win the league title, allowing only one run in two playoff starts. Castro throws a 92-93 mph fastball with life down in the zone. He can dial up his riding, four-seam fastball to 95-96 and blow the ball past hitters upstairs. He throws a nasty low-80s slider that features hard, late break and is tough on righthanders. He has made steady improvements to his delivery, staying online to the plate and improving his extension. He earns high marks for his work ethic. Castro's slider can get big on him at times, and he's still refining what figures to be an average changeup. With a true swing-and-miss fastball, he needs to make a concerted effort to emphasize his secondary weapons in game situations. Castro slashed his walk rate last season and if that trend continues, he has the stuff and durability to profile as at least a No. 3 starter. He also could make a dynamic closer if needed. He should reach Double-A San Antonio at some point in 2010.