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The Twins’ offense stumbled out of the gate, with many vital contributors struggling to find consistency in the cold April weather. Typically, this is a trend with many teams' offensive performances in the season’s early weeks, but Minnesota’s offensive ineptitude put the team in a hole to start the year. Willi Castro was part of the problem, going 5-for-45 with two extra-base hits and a 51.1 K% in his first 16 games. His numbers were tough to swallow, especially after spring training, wherein he was hitting the ball better than he ever had in his career.
During spring training, Castro showed positive signs of an improved offensive approach. He hit the snot out of the ball, with three of the 25 hardest-hit balls of his entire career in any Statcast-covered setting. Many spring training statistics can be taken with a grain of salt, but hitters can show signs of making better contact or having better pitch recognition. Castro laid the groundwork for being one of the team’s best hitters in 2024.
Castro has been a catalyst for the Twins’ offensive improvements over the last three weeks. The team’s offense was among baseball’s best during their 12-game winning streak, and Castro was among the team leaders. In 17 games, he hit nearly anything close to the plate, with a 1.029 OPS and his K% dropping to 19.4%. His nine doubles during that stretch are tied for sixth among AL hitters, with Ryan Jeffers (10) being the lone Twins hitter with more two-baggers. It has been a tremendous stretch at the plate, and these numbers only tell part of his offensive resurgence.
During the 2024 season, Castro’s 45.0 Sweet Spot% ranks among baseball’s best (97th percentile). One of his most significant improvements has been against breaking pitches. His slugging percentage against breaking pitches has increased from .379 last season to .500 in 2024. He also continues to destroy fastballs, with a .446 SLG and a .339 xWOBA. His 35.0% line drive rate is nearly 10 percentage points higher than his career average, and the MLB average is 24.8%.
Castro’s development at the big-league level has been unique, because the Tigers were forced to call him up at age 22, before he had time to prove himself in the upper minors. He showed positive signs during the 2020 season, with a 153 OPS+ in 36 games. It earned him a full-time role in 2021-22, but he struggled to find offensive consistency, with a 79 OPS+. Detroit decided to move on from Castro, and the Tigers' loss is the Twins' gain.
“At that age, there’s still upside,” Twins manager Rocco Baldelli told Twins Daily this spring. “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."
Castro, now 27 years old, is earning $3.3 million through arbitration this year, and he is under control through the 2025 season. He will likely earn north of $5 million next season, which should be easy for the Twins to offer if he continues to perform at his current level. Minnesota needs more offensive consistency, and players like Castro are critical to the team’s success this season.
Are Castro’s offensive improvements this season for real? What is his long-term role with the Twins? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion.
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