The Toros de Tijuana of the Mexican League announced the signing of Harold Castro for the 2024 season. The left-handed hitter had been one of the more experienced infielders still on the open market.
Castro, a Venezuela native, has appeared in 450 major league games over the last six years. He spent the first five seasons with the Tigers. Castro hit for high averages, but a lack of walks and power production left him as a slightly below-average offensive player overall. He ran a .284/.309/.377 slash line in more than 1200 plate appearances with Detroit before being non-tendered.
The Rockies added Castro on a minor league pact last offseason. He made the team out of Spring Training and spent the entire year in Colorado. Despite playing his home games at Coors Field, Castro didn’t maintain the offense he had for the Tigers. He hit .252/.275/.314 with one homer in 99 games. Colorado cut him loose at the end of the season.
Castro has played every position aside from catcher in his major league career. While there’s some value in that willingness to bounce around, he hasn’t been a great fit at any position. Public metrics have graded him as a below-average defender at every spot, with particularly poor grades for his work on the left side of the infield.
This is surprising because Harold Castro is better than many other utility players being signed.
Harold Castro was horrible last year. There was never much chance that he would get a MLB contract this year.
Yes but Tijuana has the best tacos in Mexico AND Has Hong Kong gentleman’s club, so he can ensure his belly full and balls empty.
Excuse me Sir, but the best tacos are in Mexicali, Baja 120 miles east from TJ, ’bout the HK G Club i’m not the proper person to opine.
You’re Trippin, Mexicali tacos are solid but don’t have the explosive flavor that Tijuana tacos have
Hitting Harold. Pretty sad in baseball that a player who makes contact with a good batting average, but is just a singles hitter. Can’t find a job. He was clutch too, needed a base hit or fly ball late in the game. He was good for that.
I was sad to see him go, but I think they got it right based on his production last season.
Solid bench player. Wouldn’t embarrass you any place you played him. Wouldn’t win a gold glove either, but that’s not a bench player. That would be a starter.
The Mariners should have signed him. Much, much better than Moore, who they keep trotting out there with his career average sitting below .210
Looks at the Yankees bench…
He and solano should be at mlb ST somewhere
Lots of people here fixated in that batting average, but not much more to offer than that. Poor walk rate, little power, and below average defense to boot.
There’s a reason he’s below replacement level for his career