Willi Castro is Crushing it, and the Twins Can Use Him However they Want Again

[Greggory Masterson]

Image courtesy of © Dennis Lee-Imagn Images

I’ll be the first to say it: I was skeptical of Willi Castro. He slowed down in the second half of 2024 after his All-Star selection to the tune of a .627 OPS (about 25% below league average), then struggled early in 2025, battling injury and carrying a .600 OPS through the first quarter of the season.

Since May 14, though, he’s slashed .327/.435/.673, bringing his season total to a .803 OPS, about 30% better than average. His season is back on track, and although he won’t keep up this Kody Clemens pace, it’s easier to see him as a consistent cog in the 2025 Twins machine. A few weeks ago, this discussion would be far darker.

Since 2023, Castro has been a consistent piece of the lineup, playing in 124 games that year and 158 in 2024. He’s played everywhere except catcher and first base (though he did work out at first a bit this year, during spring training). He’s been valuable beyond his numbers, being the team’s primary backup at shortstop and center field last year and enabling any Rocco Baldelli in-game move with his flexibility.

However, unlike last season, Castro isn’t relied on to be the primary backup at those most critical defensive positions right now. He’s stretched in those spots, but the 2024 team needed him there because the other options were suboptimal. Manuel Margot—once a near-Gold Glove defender in center field—saw his defensive ability plummet in his late 20s, and by the time he reached Minnesota, he was no longer a viable option. Kyle Farmer slowed in his early 30s, relegating the utility infielder to more of a second base/third base role in his second year in Minnesota.

Thus, Castro saw 56 games at shortstop and 30 games in center field—ranking second and third, respectively, on the team in time at the spots. That’s in addition to his 40 games at second, 34 in left, 27 at third, and two pitching appearances. The flexibility is a blessing, but the team would probably prefer not to rely on Castro so much at those positions.

Enter Brooks Lee and Harrison Bader. Thus far in 2025, Castro has been called on at shortstop just five times, and taken up a place in center once. As certain defensive upgrades over Farmer and Margot, Lee plays solid defense at shortstop, and Bader is an excellent center fielder. These upgrades protect the team from locking Castro in at these positions at which he’s stretched.

Although he may find himself there through in-game moves, the presence of a designated backup infielder and outfielder allows the team to revert to playing Castro according to maximal positive impact, rather than being forced into each choice on the basis of desperate necessity. He can be a free space on the lineup card, sliding in wherever there is a need on a day-to-day basis, and they aren’t forced to keep him in a single spot all game because there are no other center fielders or shortstops on the active roster. Many of you just shuddered; Rocco Baldelli’s micromanaging is once again enabled.

There’s a second factor at play here—health. Castro saw extended time at short, center, and third because of injuries to Carlos Correa, Byron Buxton, and Royce Lewis in 2024, and—at least for right now—all spots on the field are covered by a primary player (thank you, Kody Clemens). For Castro, this means no long-term stays at any one spot.

Truthfully, even with one injury to the current starting fielders, Lee and Bader might be the names called to fill in for weeks at a time. This depth just adds to the flexibility Castro can bring. He might even become a pinch-running option again, if he’s not forced to start every single day—a practice that may have worn him down in the second half of 2024.

The Twins do not currently have a consistent designated hitter. In addition to Castro, Lee, and Bader, they also have backup catcher Christian Vázquez and (in case you forgot) Jonah Bride sitting most days. As such, there’s plenty of time for all three of the primary backups to play, giving regulars days off or half-days at DH. And that’s probably exactly how Baldelli and the Twins prefer to go. By increasing the alternatives to Castro, the team has (perhaps paradoxically) far more flexibility to do whatever the heck they want with him.

It’s a good thing he started hitting, though, because those other options might have squeezed him out of a spot. And if his bat slows back down, the team isn’t forced to continue playing him.

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[Trov]

When Castro is hitting well he is the most important player on the team.  His ability to be at least passible defender at just about every position, means you never have to worry about having a guy defending in a position they cannot.  You can pinch hit an OF for an IF or vice versa because Castro can fill in the vacant spot.  He is what allows for Rocco to do what he wants to do with his bench. Kody Clemons has been close, but he cannot do CF or SS but he can fill other spots.  Not to same level defense. Twins love having flexible guys that can play multiple positions, at least having 1 or 2 each year. 

[Parfigliano]

He's definitely a big piece of the puzzle.

[Eris]

44 minutes ago, Trov said:

Not to same level defense. Twins love having flexible guys that can play multiple positions, at least having 1 or 2 each year. 

Defense is really the challenge as you have pointed out. While I understand the logic and flexibility of having multiple utility players, how the Twins have constructed their roster means they are below average defensively at multiple positions. 

[Doctor Gast]

Last year was a total mess, without Lewis, Lee, Correa & Buxton for a good portion of the season & being handicapped with Margot. Castro was definitely the Twins' most valuable player by filling the gap admirably & keeping us in the race until being stretched too far & running out of gas. Getting a late start, it has taken a little extra time to get going but he seems to be there now. He shouldn't be needed so much at SS &CF this year, so he should be fresh for the rest of the season. Now Lewis needs to find himself, then we'd be set.

[jmlease1]

Keeping Castro away from positions where he's overstretched should help him stay fresh, but hopefully they're able to get him appropriate days off too. He's an excellent super-utility guy, the kind of "10th Starter" that makes a difference when he's healthy. He clearly got ground down last season.

I really like him as a guy who can play multiple positions, use his speed, and give you options that doesn't make you grimace about a trade-off. He'll give you quality defense at 2B, 3B, LF, or RF and even if he's stretched at SS or CF...he's still able to get by as a "break glass in case of emergency" option that gives you choices. And we've seen him be effective at the plate. 

Love being able to use him as a pinch runner in the later innings without having to make another bench move defensively. He looks locked in right now and that will be a nice boost.

[Jeff K]

Good article.  More rest and playing his best positions should continue to pay off.