Willi Castro's Role in 2024

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Willi Castro's emergence in 2023 as a versatile infielder/outfielder was perhaps the biggest surprise of the season. He provided the team with decent hitting, fine defense and outstanding base running. Castro made the team as the "26th man" and was widely expected to be optioned as soon as Jorge Polanco was ready to play. It didn't happen. After a slow start as a hitter, Willi heated up with the weather along with being good in the field and giving the Twins some semblance of a running game on the bases. Castro stayed and provided quality between the lines all season.

In reading the position reviews for Twins Daily, Castro isn't listed as the starter at any position. That isn't surprising, but where will he get his opportunities in 2024? It is certain that there will be injuries and disappointing performance from players on the 2024 Twins and Castro is versatile enough that he can fill a role in as many as six spots (everything but first, catcher and pitcher). This year, with improved health from Byron Buxton and three other major league outfielders, I have speculated that Willi might get more time in the infield. Assuming good health for all, he could take days at third, short and second as the regular takes a day at DH. I believe that Castro is the superior defensive option to Kyle Farmer at all of those positions and (as a left handed hitter) he is the better offensive player as well. Castro will turn 27 early in the regular season while Farmer turns 34 in the summer. I think Farmer has to compete with both Castro and Father Time to get on the playing field, although he should get short side platoon at-bats at second base. 

The other consideration here is whether Willi '23 will carry over to 2024. Aside from a 140 plate appearance rookie year, Castro had been a below-average hitter and last year he compiled an OPS+ of 106, his fielding was outstanding last year where his defensive marks previously were pedestrian and finally the 33 steals and overall excellent base running is the first time in the majors where he was an asset on the bases. The one thing Castro did not improve on in 2023 was hitting against left handed pitching (.636 OPS).yl

I think Willi Castro will get more play in the infield in 2024 because Byron Buxton will be a center fielder most of the time and Manuel Margot is a capable fourth outfielder. Kyle Farmer is the less desirable alternative to back up the three infield positions unless there is a left hander on the mound for the opposition. It is for this reason that I am surprised that Farmer is still on the team, but I believe there isn't a single team that would trade for him to be a starter. 

 

[Parfigliano]

A lot of faith in Buxton being healthy and playing D.  History says that will not happen.

 

[JD-TWINS]

Buxton playing “a lot” of CF is maybe 60 games plus. Castro will regularly play CF v. RH pitching………,,Buxton will DH a bunch v. RH pitching as he has decent reverse splits.

Both Margot & Castro will play in the OF v. LH pitching 25-30% of total games. Farmer-Santana will be the right side v. LH pitching.

Castro will play some 3B but mostly in CF & LF. I see him squarely as the 4th OF relative to innings played - maybe even the 3rd OF behind Kepler & Wallner?

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27 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

Buxton playing “a lot” of CF is maybe 60 games plus. Castro will regularly play CF v. RH pitching………,,Buxton will DH a bunch v. RH pitching as he has decent reverse splits.

Both Margot & Castro will play in the OF v. LH pitching 25-30% of total games. Farmer-Santana will be the right side v. LH pitching.

Castro will play some 3B but mostly in CF & LF. I see him squarely as the 4th OF relative to innings played - maybe even the 3rd OF behind Kepler & Wallner?

If Buxton's knee injury indeed is resolved, I think 60 games in center is way on the low end for him. At least one writer with a lot more connection with the Twins has stated that Margot is the backup in center field. While I don't totally concur, I think Castro is stretched a bit in center field and the manager and field staff probably prefer Margot. 

[andrewberg]

I think JD has it right. Castro is essentially the 5th OF and 6th IF behind the starters and Margot/Farmer, respectively. His xwOBA was about 20 points lower than his wOBA last year, so even though he hit the ball harder and at a better LA than his career averages, he's probably due to hit a bit worse, although it is encouraging that his BB rate has trended up given what he can do on the bases. 

Castro's versatility is helpful to this roster. Buxton is going to need days off for minor injuries and maintenance even if everything goes wonderfully. Margot is Buxton's top reserve, but Wallner needs a platoon partner against tough (or maybe all?) lefties. It's not realistic to think that Buxton will always be healthy on days where the team faces tough LHP, so we really need two reserve OFs who can hit LHP. Having someone in that role who can also provide IF depth to give Lewis and Correa rest days will be helpful. Of course, the depth is not very useful if he reverts to a low .600s OPS, so hopefully he maintains some of the offensive gains. 

[Major League Ready]

It would seem very hard to predict because a lot of his playing time will be dictated by injury.  He is a Swiss Army Knife.

[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

Castro is such a luxury to have on the roster. He can play multiple positions and do so without being a net negative. He always murdered the Twins when he was on the Tigers, or at least it seemed like he did. I think it is hard to say what his role will be because a lot of it will depend on the health of other players - with that said, wherever he slots, he'll more than hold his own.