Could Willi Castro Realistically Be the Twins’ First Baseman in 2025?

[Cody Christie]

After recent signings, the Twins' most significant roster need is at first base. Can the club’s do-it-all utility man add first base to his defensive repertoire?

Image courtesy of © Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

Versatility has been Willi Castro’s calling card since arriving in Minnesota, and now the Twins might be asking him to add yet another position to his defensive résumé. At last month’s Diamond Awards, manager Rocco Baldelli floated the idea of Castro seeing time at first base in 2025, which is a position he has never played professionally. With Carlos Santana’s departure, the Twins have a glaring hole at first base, and Castro’s adaptability could make him an intriguing option.

The Versatility Record-Setter
Last season, Castro made history by becoming the first player in MLB history to appear in at least 20 games at five different positions in a single season. His ability to play nearly everywhere on the diamond was invaluable for the Twins, mainly when injuries tested the team’s depth. He played every infield position except first base, and now the Twins might be looking to complete the set.

While his defensive versatility is an asset, first base presents a unique challenge. The Twins have put some unconventional options at first base in recent years, including Luis Arráez. Unlike the outfield or middle infield, first base requires strong footwork, instincts, and the ability to pick throws out of the dirt. Sometimes, it takes multiple years for a player to acclimate to first, and those skills that Castro has yet to showcase professionally.

Who Else Is in the Mix?
With Santana gone, the current first base depth chart is murky. José Miranda has the most experience at first base, but his defense remains a question mark. Last season, Miranda had a .888 OPS in the first half and a .543 OPS in the second half. First basemen must produce offensively, and he struggled down the stretch. Edouard Julien has struggled defensively at second base and doesn’t project as an ideal first baseman either. He also struggled last season to the point where the team sent him to Triple-A. Neither Miranda nor Julien brings the defensive stability that Santana provided, which is why the Twins might be exploring creative solutions like Castro.

It’s clear that Castro brings athleticism to the table, and if he can develop the necessary skills, he could become an intriguing stopgap option. However, he is a free agent at the end of the season, so it would indeed be a one-year fix for the Twins. Minnesota has leaned on Castro to fill defensive holes before, and he’s handled those challenges well. However, first base requires specific skills that take time to develop, and there’s no guarantee Castro can make the transition seamlessly. Playing Castro at first also takes him away from other, more valuable defensive positions. 

A Realistic Plan or Just an Idea?
Baldelli’s comments during Twins Fest weekend suggest that the Twins are at least considering Castro at first base, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it will happen. The team could look externally for another option, whether through free agency or a trade, before Opening Day. It’s also possible that Castro’s ability to play all over the field remains too valuable for the Twins to lock him into a single position.

If Castro does get reps at first base, it will likely be a work in progress during spring training. The Twins’ coaching staff would need to work with him extensively to develop his footwork and scooping ability. He has the athleticism to make it work, but playing first base at a Gold Glove-caliber level, like Santana, is a tall order. The Twins will get less defensive value at first base in 2025, which might be a tough pill to swallow for a young pitching staff where every out is critical.

Castro’s versatility has been a game-changer for the Twins, and adding first base to his toolset could further increase his value. However, jumping to an entirely new position at the major league level is no small task. It seems most likely that the Twins would use a combination of Miranda, Julien, and Castro at first base. If the Twins don’t add a proven first baseman before Opening Day, Castro could get a shot, but whether he sticks there long-term remains to be seen.

Would you like to see Castro get a look at first base, or should the Twins seek outside help? Leave a comment and start the discussion.

 

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[Heiny]

Yeah, sure.  And Vazquez in CF and Wallner at short and Pablo should try catching.  We need to see what we really have here.  LOL.  I'm sorry.  It just seems like we come up with a lot of silly ideas that don't make a lot of sense.  Need a 1B?  Develope one or go buy one.  1B is a sluggers position.  You don't have to have a GG'er at every position.  You know they only give out one of those per spot!  Go get Mountcastle.

 

[FargoFanMan]

Maybe it’ll work out a with Miranda, Julien and Castro over there. I also know that maybe they weren’t expecting AK  crash and burn and retire. Yet how in the world do we find ourselves here time after time? For all the playing guys at SS in the minors when they’re not SS clearly why do they continually fail to develop an at least solid 1B? For all their defensive woes in the OF how have Larnach and Wallner never been considered while coming up? I’m 50/50 on Miranda being able to hold that position but you’re putting a guy in a precarious spot trying to acclimate in the Majors. I wish him the best and hopefully he makes 1B his.

[Blyleven2011]

Article has Julian in the equation to play firstbase , if Julien is going to be positioned at firstbase it should be in AAA  , Julien needs to clear his head and earn his way back to the show , his hitting and defense were terrible last year  ...

If luis arraez can play firstbase , then the athleticism of castro should allow him to play fistbase with Miranda splitting time ...

Larnach should be the one twins management should be considering on transitioning him to firstbase , twins like versatility make larnach a versatile player at first and outfield  ...

Then there is ford on a minor league contract and not on the 40 man roster  , most likely destined for AAA .. 

[Fatbat]

He might be a natural! Or he could just plain not be good at it.  Someone internal has to grab that position and be good at it.  I have never understood why a team would platoon 1B.  For Baldelli to trot out 3-5 different guys a month has to have a negative effect on defensive efficiency!  It would make sense that over the offseason, Castro has been approached with the idea before it was made public.  Maybe he has been taking reps for months to focus development on 1B to see if its even viable.  Same could be said for Julien. Julien doesn’t seem as viable because he just isn’t that athletic. He just looks slow/mechanical.  Not fluid or natural and that has disaster red flag 🚩 flying, screaming don’t go there, written in caps. 
If Castro hasn’t been putting some work in this offseason, that could be just as disastrous. 
Miranda, if healthy and focusing on full time 1B, he could actually be serviceable.  His bat plays there (when not in a slump) Maybe he can mature as a player and focus being serviceable at D and hit the cover off the ball. 

[thelanges5]

2 minutes ago, Blyleven2011 said:

Article has Julian in the equation to play firstbase , if Julien is going to be positioned at firstbase it should be in AAA  , Julien needs to clear his head and earn his way back to the show , his hitting and defense were terrible last year  ...

If luis arraez can play firstbase , then the athleticism of castro should allow him to play fistbase with Miranda splitting time ...

Larnach should be the one twins management should be considering on transitioning him to firstbase , twins like versatility make larnach a versatile player at first and outfield  ...

Then there is ford on a minor league contract and not on the 40 man roster  , most likely destined for AAA .. 

If you’re not going to trade for Diaz or Mountcastle then get Larnach a first baseman’s mitt!

[stringer bell]

Sure, Castro could fill in there, but slotting him on an everyday basis takes away from his availabity everywhere else and locks in a non-slugger at a slugger's position. Willi's a good hitter for a utility guy, he is not a good hitter for a first baseman. 

[Eris]

Putting Castro at 1B strikes me as poor use of defensive skills. Castro (and possibly Lee) are likely the best defensive 3B on the team. The 7 players behind the pitcher should be positioned to maximize defensive efficiency. A factor that complicates this assessment is that both Lewis and Miranda have been hurt over the past 2 years. So it is possible that they are defensively better than their past results. 
 

An additional factor that complicates these decisions is that Miranda and Lewis’ long term value is more limited if their primary position is 1B. 

[Mahoning]

Just give in to the inevitable and put Royce Lewis there. Nobody the Twins draft and groom as a shortstop ends up a major league shortstop.

[Parfigliano]

29 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

Sure, Castro could fill in there, but slotting him on an everyday basis takes away from his availabity everywhere else and locks in a non-slugger at a slugger's position. Willi's a good hitter for a utility guy, he is not a good hitter for a first baseman. 

Castro is not a good hitter for an every day player but that's what he will be as TC shoehorns him into the lineup 5-6 games a week at different positions.

[karcherd]

Why is Miranda on the roster anymore, it appears they have no use for him.  He hasn't even played 100 games at 1B, why not give him a chance and he could become passable there.  Two years ago, it was reported the Reds wanted him at the trade deadline but they didn't want to let him go.  He will be 27 this season, either give him a chance or move on.  At some point you have to develop some in house players, and let them play, not just give up on them.  Next year it will be the same talking point, who will play 1B, let Miranda play there and keep Lewis at third.

[thelanges5]

Castro’s 25 starts at five different positions was great last year and saved our bacon. But as he faded in the latter part of the season, I couldn’t help but wonder if he had been over exposed. I think he is more valuable coming off the bench, stealing bases, and giving guys the occasional day off.

[LambchoP]

Castro at first doesn't sound like a solution to me. They need to make a trade for a true power hitting first baseman. If they can't swing that, I think Larnach should try a platoon with Miranda. I don't trust Julien until he proves he can hit again. I think the long-term solution will be Royce Lewis at first and Lee/Miranda at third, but I don't think they are ready to designate him a first baseman yet. Aside from Wallner and Larnach, I think Lewis profiles best as a power hitting 1b.

[gman]

I would plan on a future infield of Lewis First Base, Keaschall/Eeles  Second Base, Lee Third Base, and Correa Short Stop. By future infield, I mean the second half of the upcoming season.  They can spend the first half fitting guys into these position and letting Keaschall, Eeles see if they are future major leaguers. I think they are. Miranda, Castro, Martin and Julian can be utility players or trade bait.

 

[karcherd]

Castro is not an everyday player, he gets exposed as happened last year the second half of the season.  The best use of Castro is to start him 3 to 4 days a week and have be a late inning defensive replacement or pinch runner.  With his flexibility you can make this work for almost any player.  This obsession with trying to win every matchup on every AB is not a winning strategy because it can't be done.  Put your best players at their best positions and let them play, that is where a player like Castro is most valuable.  And if your best players aren't good enough to win, improve player development or get better players.  This is on Falvey and is not a money issue.

[dxpavelka]

2 hours ago, Mahoning said:

Just give in to the inevitable and put Royce Lewis there. Nobody the Twins draft and groom as a shortstop ends up a major league shortstop.

Most players drafted as shortstops end up elsewhere.  Not just the Twins.  Go look at lists of guys drafted as shortstops. 

[stringer bell]

8 hours ago, karcherd said:

Why is Miranda on the roster anymore, it appears they have no use for him.  He hasn't even played 100 games at 1B, why not give him a chance and he could become passable there.  Two years ago, it was reported the Reds wanted him at the trade deadline but they didn't want to let him go.  He will be 27 this season, either give him a chance or move on.  At some point you have to develop some in house players, and let them play, not just give up on them.  Next year it will be the same talking point, who will play 1B, let Miranda play there and keep Lewis at third.

With the current roster, Miranda is Option A at first base and probably not as a platoon (given his reverse splits). What is disquieting is that Option B is Mickey Gasper or Mike Ford followed experimenting with Julien or Castro at first base.

[stringer bell]

3 hours ago, Eris said:

Putting Castro at 1B strikes me as poor use of defensive skills. Castro (and possibly Lee) are likely the best defensive 3B on the team. The 7 players behind the pitcher should be positioned to maximize defensive efficiency. A factor that complicates this assessment is that both Lewis and Miranda have been hurt over the past 2 years. So it is possible that they are defensively better than their past results. 
 

An additional factor that complicates these decisions is that Miranda and Lewis’ long term value is more limited if their primary position is 1B. 

I'm not ready to give up on Lewis at third base yet. Coming to camp rested and healthy, I expect he'll look a lot faster and more athletic than the end of last year. With no leg injuries, Miranda is already really slow with less than a cannon for an arm. I think he'll never be a candidate to be a full-time third baseman.

All of that said, the time might come sooner than later that Lewis gets a first baseman's mitt. Other than perhaps Brooks Lee, I don't see many candidates to push him off third, however.

[thelanges5]

2 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

I'm not ready to give up on Lewis at third base yet. Coming to camp rested and healthy, I expect he'll look a lot faster and more athletic than the end of last year. With no leg injuries, Miranda is already really slow with less than a cannon for an arm. I think he'll never be a candidate to be a full-time third baseman.

All of that said, the time might come sooner than later that Lewis gets a first baseman's mitt. Other than perhaps Brooks Lee, I don't see many candidates to push him off third, however.

Get Plouffe to camp, he can work with Royce on his throws from 3B. 

[arby58]

4 hours ago, Mahoning said:

Just give in to the inevitable and put Royce Lewis there. Nobody the Twins draft and groom as a shortstop ends up a major league shortstop.

Jorge Polanco.

[Schmoeman5]

I love Willi Castro and his "versatility"  But if Willi Castro leads the team in AB then somethings not right. Super utility or not. 

[dxpavelka]

44 minutes ago, arby58 said:

Jorge Polanco.

Was such a good major league shortstop we decided he was a second baseman.

[rdehring]

Use early spring training to play about half the team at first base.  You know, guys like Miranda, Julien, Keaschall, Larnach, Wallner and probably a few others I can't think of right now.  See who has the potential to be average or better defensively. 

Then put the guy there every day during the last week or two and stick with him when the season starts.  I think we learned last year that a good first baseman can save the infielders a lot of errors which too often lead to runs.

 

[CRF]

I sure hope not. 

[arby58]

1 hour ago, dxpavelka said:

Was such a good major league shortstop we decided he was a second baseman.

He WAS a major league shortstop - which is what was asked. Lots of players move from shortstop after being major league shortstops. You wouldn't say Ernie Banks or Alex Rodriguez were not major league shortstops because they eventually moved to other infield positions.

[RpR]

7 hours ago, Blyleven2011 said:

Article has Julian in the equation to play firstbase , if Julien is going to be positioned at firstbase it should be in AAA  , Julien needs to clear his head and earn his way back to the show , his hitting and defense were terrible last year  ...

 

When Sano became an embarassment, they sent him to Single A, try that with Julien.

[Doctor Gast]

1B is a waste of his talents. He'll be too busy subbing more important positions when he's not playing LF. MN has to find an inhouse player & stick with him. Not pick up a FA every year to man the position, taking away valuable experience from our players so they can perfect that position . We don't need a GG to cover for our 2Bman we need someone who can mash.  Miranda is the one. Let him recuperate 100% from his shoulder surgery, by keeping him at 1B & productive. We do need depth, I don't trust Julien, Gasper, or Ford. IMO Lewis could use a break from 3B once in a while to play 1B. Give him a shot there where we could use more help.

[MinnesotaTwins26]

He's too valuable as a utility man to only play at first base.

[DocBauer]

Or, since the team is on a "spending spree", make a trade for Mountcastle or Diaz and let Miranda still play some 1B...growing in to the position and providing depth...as well as DH and some 3B. I mean, the Pohlad's won't be writing payroll checks by mid season at the latest.

Paddack might be part of such a deal, or he might be moved to clear payroll if necessary. But why stop now with such an obvious need on the team?

[Jacksson]

NO.

But with Helman gone, Keaschall, not physically ready (and not on the 40, man roster), Julien having a questionable bat, Martin being questionable with both glove and bat, and Lee not yet proven as being ready. the second base job falls to Castro.  Just based upon his paycheck, the team needs him in the lineup just about every day.  Why else would there be rumors about the team having interest in a SS??  Either Correa isn't doing so well OR Castro is going to be used somewhere other than SS.