Willi Castro Powering Up for Even Better 2024 Season

[Cody Christie]

Role players can push a contending team over the top in a division race. Last season, Willi Castro proved his worth to the Minnesota Twins, and he might be gearing up for an even better 2024 campaign.

Image courtesy of Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Last season, Willi Castro entered spring training as a non-roster invitee who had to prove he belonged on the big-league roster. The Twins had multiple injured players, and Castro performed well in the spring, with a .973 OPS while playing four different defensive positions. Entering the season, Tom Froemming crowned Castro the 2023 Sire of Fort Myers, based on his surprising spring. Castro was only 26 years old, and there was room for him to continue developing. His value to the Twins became even clearer during the regular season. 

Castro proved himself integral to the Twins in the regular season, playing 124 games and accumulating the third-highest rWAR among Minnesota hitters, behind Ryan Jeffers and Max Kepler. He hit .257/.339/.411, with 32 extra-base hits and a 106 OPS+. On the bases, Castro single-handedly moved the Twins from one of baseball’s worst baserunning teams to a slightly below-average one with his 33 steals in 38 chances. His defensive flexibility also added to his value, as he played every position except for first base and catcher. The strong spring wasn't the reason why he thrived, but it did give him the opportunity to prove himself. 

“We had him last year at 25 as an NRI in camp. That’s not standard practice,” Twins manager Rocco Baldelli told Twins Daily’s Nick Nelson over the weekend. “You usually don't get good athletic, switch-hitting, multi-positional guys. He did more than anyone could’ve expected him to last year."

Entering 2024, Castro wasn’t fighting for a spot on the Twins roster. Instead, he entered camp knowing he’d be used at multiple defensive positions, with a chance to improve his offensive performance. Free to focus on that aspect of things, he's hitting the snot out of the ball this spring. Three of the 21 hardest-hit balls of his entire career, in any Statcast-covered setting, have come during spring training. Entering play on Monday, Castro had a 1.000 OPS this spring, with three extra-base hits in 30 plate appearances.

“At that age, there’s still upside,” Baldelli told Nelson. “So, if he’s getting stronger still and doing things like that, that wouldn’t be surprising for a guy that's only 26 years old."

So, what’s next for Castro, and is his spring performance any indication of further development?

Projection systems view Castro as taking a step back, which can be expected when using his performance from multiple years. ZiPS projects Castro to hit .247/.306/.385, with a 93 OPS+ and a 0.7 WAR. Baseball-Reference expects .248/.312/.398, with 34 extra-base hits and 20 stolen bases over 444 plate appearances. There is regression baked into any projection system, but Castro may have started making adjustments at the end of last season. 

Last September, Castro showed signs of an improved approach at the plate. Some players wear down at the season’s end, but Castro had his best month in September. In 23 games, he hit .313/.398/.550, with nine extra-base hits and four stolen bases. His OPS was nearly 100 points higher than in any other month of the season. He was also a spark plug in the lineup when the Twins were winning last season, as he posted an .852 OPS, which was 214 points higher than when he played in the team’s losses.

Other players will be impacted if Castro continues to hit well when the regular season begins. Matt Wallner has struggled this spring, going 2-for-29 (.069 BA) in 35 plate appearances. He is scheduled to be the team’s regular left fielder, but Castro can take playing time away from the left-handed slugger. Minnesota also acquired Manuel Margot to back up Byron Buxton in center field, but he, too, has been struggling this spring (.086 BA with no extra-base hits). Castro was one of the team’s center field options before they acquired Margot, and the team could turn to him if Buxton misses time.

Contending teams typically get surprise performances from different parts of the roster. Castro certainly surprised in his first year with the Twins, but his age and development might point to him being even better in 2024. 

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What role will Castro play this season? Should fans be excited about the way he is hitting the ball this spring? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion.

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[Dman]

I am a huge Willie Castro fan as he is such a versatile defender and really just a hit tool away from being a five tool player IMO.  His ability to run well and steal bases is refreshing on a team that doesn’t have many players that can run well.

If his hit tool improves they are going to need to find a regular spot for him.

[nicksaviking]

The Twins new hitting philosophy of taking as many pitches as possible seems to have really clicked with Castro. His K% remained about the same but his BB% about doubled. He keeps that OBP above .330 and he'll always be a useful player.

[Doctor Gast]

There been a few NRIs that were looking for an opportunity & have played well in spring training greatly outshining the competition only to be passed over. and the Twins suffered because of it.  Fortunately, Castro because of early injuries Castro wasn't cast aside but given that opportunity. All players like Castro need is an opportunity & some trust. Because of that they can prove themselves & build up some confidence. Having that confidence now IMO Castro can build on what he did last year. Castro can be that LH bat to sub Buxton in CF on occasion or anywhere else competently. IMO Castro's base stealing has inspired the whole team to be better at it.

[DJL44]

Someday Detroit may talk about Willi Castro the same way Twins fans talk about David Ortiz.....

[Karbo]

Looks to me like Castro is one of those guys that gets better the more he plays. When they signed him last year I figured he was just a depth guy for AAA. He got his chance and ran with it. Loved to watch him play last year. Now we'll see if last season was like a career type year or if it was the beginning to a nice career!

[sweetmusicviola16]

I see no reason Castro can't become a better player. This projection stuff has no value imo. It's all done on the field.

[jmlease1]

I hope Castro keeps improving, that would be a terrific result for the Twins. Not sure if he will, but he does seem to be finding an approach that works for him and how he can be effective at the plate. The baserunning has been really good, and paired with his defensive flexibility it makes him a real weapon. The fact that you can use Castro as a PH  or PR later in a game and not have to make a significant shuffle (or any change at all!) to your defensive alignment and keep quality defenders in place is pretty impactful. the 1 for 1 substitution gives you more weapons to deploy as needed, and Castro's ability to slot in at 6 positions is one of the things i love about having him on the bench. He's going to get playing time.

It's interesting to look back at his time in Detroit and wonder what happened there. Castro had been a successful base-stealer in Cleveland's system, but once he got to Detroit that part of his game basically vanished. I don't think it turned back on last season simply because of larger bases and fewer pickoffs.

[Fatbat]

Even tho Castro wasn't anywhere near a rookie last year, he and Brock Stewart in my mind were Twins rookies that WON their roles on the team as first year twins and will likely be around for a few more years. 
even tho he doesn’t have an everyday position to n the field, he will get to play 130+ games and 500 AB’s because he is a very valuable role player. And he is Willi Willi good at it. 

[DocBauer]

I really liked his signing last year. Young, athletic, fast, versatile, and just needing opportunity and development. Of course, I thought he would be seeing limited action with the Twins and 2024 would be his breakout year. Very happy to be wrong about that!

He played 6 spots...some more than others obviously...and played them all well. He provided a little power, much needed speed, and produced an above league average OPS as a super utility player. If there was an annual award given for such a role, he'd have to be a top 3 finisher wouldn't he?

I'd be happy if all he did was repeat what he did in 2023. That's all I ask. But I agree with Rocco that his relative youth, combined with confidence and talent, he might still improve. If he could add 10 points to his AVG and 10-15 points to his OB %, that would be enough for me. But what if the SLG went up another 10-15 points as well? 

I think we've got one of the best super utility guys in the game. And I really love his defense pretty much every time I watch him. All he needs to be is himself and produce like he did last year. He'll be a regular in the lineup. But even a little bit of improvement almost makes him a "star" player.

[chpettit19]

10 minutes ago, DocBauer said:

I really liked his signing last year. Young, athletic, fast, versatile, and just needing opportunity and development. Of course, I thought he would be seeing limited action with the Twins and 2024 would be his breakout year. Very happy to be wrong about that!

He played 6 spots...some more than others obviously...and played them all well. He provided a little power, much needed speed, and produced an above league average OPS as a super utility player. If there was an annual award given for such a role, he'd have to be a top 3 finisher wouldn't he?

I'd be happy if all he did was repeat what he did in 2023. That's all I ask. But I agree with Rocco that his relative youth, combined with confidence and talent, he might still improve. If he could add 10 points to his AVG and 10-15 points to his OB %, that would be enough for me. But what if the SLG went up another 10-15 points as well? 

I think we've got one of the best super utility guys in the game. And I really love his defense pretty much every time I watch him. All he needs to be is himself and produce like he did last year. He'll be a regular in the lineup. But even a little bit of improvement almost makes him a "star" player.

There are silver slugger and gold gloves for utility players now. Gunnar Henderson won the silver slugger award in the AL with Brandon Drury, Isaac Paredes, and Whit Merrifield as the other finalists. Mauricio Dubon won the gold glove in the AL with Zach McKinstry and Taylor Walls as the other finalists.

[bean5302]

a28 - 752 PA, .250/.293/.392, OPS .685 wRC+ 92, 4.3% BB, 22.7% K <-- Nick Gordon
a27 - 1501 PA, .248/.305/.389, OPS .694 wRC+ 91, 5.7% BB, 24.1% K <-- Willi Castro

I'm not saying Gordon is as good or better than Castro, it's just a little entertaining to see how recency bias creates heroes or demons out of players on fan sites, haha.

[FlyingFinn]

20 minutes ago, bean5302 said:

I'm not saying Gordon is as good or better than Castro, it's just a little entertaining to see how recency bias creates heroes or demons out of players on fan sites,

Noticed you left out what really makes the difference between the two - stolen bases and defensive stats.

[JD-TWINS]

10 hours ago, FlyingFinn said:

Noticed you left out what really makes the difference between the two - stolen bases and defensive stats.

A well as results specifically from 2023!

[JD-TWINS]

I’ve never heard the organization state that Margot was acquired to back up Buxton in CF. IMO, they went out and got a guy to platoon with Wallner - a guy with experience and good splits v. LH pitching. They also got a guy who “could” play CF if needed.

I think Castro is the combination guy with Buxton to fill CF in ‘24. His value in the line-up is too high to not have a semi-regular position. There will not be as many opportunities in the infield this year assuming Lewis’ knees - Correa’s feet - Farmer’s cheekbone all stay intact. I think Castro starts 75-80 games in CF v. RH pitching.

If he gets similar AB’s in ‘24, I’d take the 32 XBH - 33 steals - 106OPS+ every year, ongoing.

Defensive flexibility and decent glove ability.

[mikelink45]

I would love to see him continue to build on last year.  I love his dynamic presence and I think he changes the team attitude. 

[KBJ1]

Castro is a gem! Margot & Santana we didn't really need. And now we still need a pitcher.

[bean5302]

On 3/20/2024 at 11:53 AM, FlyingFinn said:

Noticed you left out what really makes the difference between the two - stolen bases and defensive stats.

Not much of a difference between the two in defense or base running, TBH, but if you looked at the raw numbers and accepted them, you'd probably know that.

Castro was excellent last year with Baldelli finally green lighting steals, but Castro had never stolen more than 9 before last year. Gordon stole 6 bases in 2022 and 10 bases in 2021 when the Twins were about the most conservative in MLB. It's really tough to say how it would have looked with the new rules for Gordon, but there's no denying Castro has a speed advantage over Gordon in a foot race.

Defensively, despite all the hate Gordon got, he was pretty neutral defensively at all positions he played over the past couple years.

[FlyingFinn]

5 minutes ago, bean5302 said:

Castro was excellent last year with Baldelli finally green lighting steals,

And with Baldelli green lighting steals, Gordon (in 34 games and 91 ab's) never stole a single base last year. Give me Castro over Gordon every day if I need a base stolen.

We just disagree on the defense and that's okay. If the Marlins dare to play Gordon on the left side of the infield and he does well, I will change my opinion. Castro never made an error in 49 games in those positions last year. Super utility player is more valuable than utility player.

Good discussion.

[Doctor Wu]

On 3/21/2024 at 10:40 AM, JD-TWINS said:

I’ve never heard the organization state that Margot was acquired to back up Buxton in CF. IMO, they went out and got a guy to platoon with Wallner - a guy with experience and good splits v. LH pitching. They also got a guy who “could” play CF if needed.

I think Castro is the combination guy with Buxton to fill CF in ‘24. His value in the line-up is too high to not have a semi-regular position. There will not be as many opportunities in the infield this year assuming Lewis’ knees - Correa’s feet - Farmer’s cheekbone all stay intact. I think Castro starts 75-80 games in CF v. RH pitching.

If he gets similar AB’s in ‘24, I’d take the 32 XBH - 33 steals - 106OPS+ every year, ongoing.

Defensive flexibility and decent glove ability.

Yeah, I don't think Margot's best position is CF at all, but he can play there if needed. Hopefully, his bat comes around and his versatility is as good as it's been in the past, and he ends up being a valuable addition to the team. 

[Doctor Wu]

16 hours ago, bean5302 said:

Not much of a difference between the two in defense or base running, TBH, but if you looked at the raw numbers and accepted them, you'd probably know that.

Castro was excellent last year with Baldelli finally green lighting steals, but Castro had never stolen more than 9 before last year. Gordon stole 6 bases in 2022 and 10 bases in 2021 when the Twins were about the most conservative in MLB. It's really tough to say how it would have looked with the new rules for Gordon, but there's no denying Castro has a speed advantage over Gordon in a foot race.

Defensively, despite all the hate Gordon got, he was pretty neutral defensively at all positions he played over the past couple years.

I think having both the opportunity and the proverbial "green light" are big factors. So far in spring training Gordon has already stolen 5 bases for the Marlins. I think he will thrive in Miami.