Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 40 | Run: 55 | Arm: 60 | Field: 50 | Overall: 50
Signed by Indians for $825,000 in July 2013, Castro has improved his prospect stock at every stage of his career despite being one of the youngest everyday players at his respective level. He started to put it all together as a 20-year-old in 2017 when he finished among the Carolina League leaders in hits (second), batting average (fourth) and runs scored (sixth). The Indians rewarded him with a spot on their 40-man roster after the season. A move to Double-A in 2018 proved a challenge for Castro, but the Tigers saw enough offensive upside to get him in exchange for Leonys Martin at the Trade Deadline in July. He made a strong impression in his Tigers organizational debut following the trade, hitting .317/.353/.516 over 31 games and finishing the season at Triple-A Toledo.
Castro is unique in the sense that he's a switch-hitter who produces similar splits. He knows how to get the barrel to the ball and makes line-drive contact from both sides of the plate. He's begun to tap into some power as he's filled out physically, and given his remaining projection, double-digit home run totals seem like a possibility. While his approach continues to be highly aggressive, his strikeout and walk rates have held steady during his climb through the Minors. An above-average runner, Castro has stolen at least 16 bags in three straight seasons but still has gains to make in his efficiency.
A loose and athletic infielder, Castro has the necessary soft hands, actions and arm strength to stick at shortstop. An average defender, he showed more consistency in 2018 by committing just 15 errors after back-to-back 25-error campaigns, though he did regress on that front in his first full Triple-A campaign. With further improvements on both sides of the ball, Castro could develop into an everyday player. Statcast - Batting Season Pitches Batted Balls Barrels Barrel % Exit Velocity Launch Angle XBA XSLG WOBA XWOBA XWOBACON Hard Hit % K % BB % 2019 424 68 1 1.5 83.2 17.0 .208 .296 .270 .246 .317 25.0 30.9 5.5 ALL 424 68 1 1.5 83.2 17.0 .208 .296 .270 .246 .317 25.0 30.9 5.5 MLB 40553 6.3 87.5 11.2 .251 .412 .317 .318 .371 34.5 21.7 8.3 Transactions Team Date Transaction 10/29/2019 SS Willi Castro assigned to Leones del Escogido. 08/24/2019 Detroit Tigers selected the contract of SS Willi Castro from Toledo Mud Hens. 03/10/2019 Detroit Tigers optioned SS Willi Castro to Toledo Mud Hens. 11/16/2018 Leones del Escogido placed SS Willi Castro on the reserve list. 10/13/2018 SS Willi Castro assigned to Leones del Escogido. 10/01/2018 Detroit Tigers recalled Willi Castro from Toledo Mud Hens. 08/30/2018 SS Willi Castro assigned to Toledo Mud Hens from Erie SeaWolves. 08/01/2018 Erie SeaWolves activated SS Willi Castro. 07/31/2018 Detroit Tigers traded CF Leonys Martin and RHP Kyle Dowdy to Cleveland Indians for SS Willi Castro. 07/31/2018 SS Willi Castro assigned to Erie SeaWolves. 03/09/2018 Cleveland Indians optioned SS Willi Castro to Akron RubberDucks. 11/20/2017 Cleveland Indians selected the contract of Willi Castro from Lynchburg Hillcats. 10/14/2017 SS Willi Castro assigned to Leones del Escogido. 03/06/2017 SS Willi Castro assigned to Cleveland Indians. 10/02/2016 Lynchburg Hillcats activated SS Willi Castro from the temporarily inactive list. 09/10/2016 Lynchburg Hillcats placed SS Willi Castro on the temporarily inactive list. 09/01/2016 SS Willi Castro assigned to Lynchburg Hillcats from Lake County Captains. 04/03/2016 SS Willi Castro assigned to Lake County Captains from Mahoning Valley Scrappers. 03/04/2016 IF Willi Castro assigned to Cleveland Indians. 06/18/2015 2B Willi Castro assigned to Mahoning Valley Scrappers from AZL Indians. 03/29/2015 2B Willi Castro assigned to Cleveland Indians. 11/01/2014 2B Willi Castro assigned to Gigantes de Carolina. 06/20/2014 2B Willi Castro assigned to AZL Indians. 02/23/2014 SS Willi Castro assigned to DSL Indians. 07/02/2013 Cleveland Indians signed free agent SS Willi Castro to a minor league contract.
