Detroit Tigers 40-Man Roster: RHP Anthony Castro

As we continue to examine the 40-man roster, let’s look at Anthony Castro, one of the more intriguing arms in the system you may not know enough about.

Dan Hasty, the voice of the West Michigan Whitecaps, gave me my first opportunity to interview a few players in 2017. The first player I ever had a chance to speak to was with Anthony Castro. Since then, I have followed his career closely. One of the more striking things about Castro was his demeanor during the interview. He spoke about working on his secondary pitches and whatever role the Tigers needed him to do, he would adjust.  Perhaps he found his role at last in the organization.

Looking for Consistency

After a solid campaign in Lakeland in 2018, his call up to Erie in June was a forgettable stint, posting an ERA of 8.10 before he was sent back down. His 2019 season was split between time as a starter – his normal role in the past – and a bullpen job. His splits as a starter last year were better as a reliever in which he went 5-2 with an ERA of 3.23 with 98 strikeouts in 86.1 innings pitched. He struggled with walks and his secondary pitches were getting hit hard. He mentioned on the Marchant Orders podcast that he had to get a mouth guard to prevent himself tipping his pitches.

After a strong Arizona Fall League and a strange moment in which he thought he was going to be off the 40-man roster, he was added. But does makes him a good case to make a spot for the bullpen?

Big League Slider

The draw to Castro’s arsenal isn’t his fastball. Although it is a good heater and averages around 94-95 miles per hour, evaluators have become much more enamored with his his slider. is a good out pitch. Case in point: against lefties, he was able to use the slider effectively causing some “sword” action. Take a look at some video of the pitch in action.

https://twitter.com/_jchipman/status/1154815651191709697?s=20

True, it’s a bold prediction, but with no room in Toledo or Erie, Anthony Castro could make the team out of spring as a reliever if he has a strong spring. If injuries hit the starting staff early, he could easily spot start. Yes, his splits as a reliever last year were not good, but if the Tigers give him a defined role in the spring and he can make the adjustment, the team needs relievers who can generate strikeouts badly. He his big upside, so it will be interesting to see if that shows up on the field through the spring.