While the picture is a touch fuzzy, (it’s better now, I got a decent picture today) this week’s SotW has shown he has a clear idea of the strike zone thus far. In the 5 games Victor Castillo has played, his on-base percentage is a robust .600, aided by 7 walks in 20 plate appearances. Otherwise, he’s 4 for 12 on the young season, a good .333 clip.
The 22 year old Venezuelan is being called upon to share the Delmarva catching load this season. Last year in Aberdeen he hit a solid .261 in 43 games and showed a little bit of RBI ability, knocking in 15 to go with his one home run (in 134 at-bats). Also, Victor showed he could be useful in hit-and-run situations, only fanning 19 times all season.
More usefully to Shorebird manager Gary Kendall, Castillo is a switch-hitting catcher. This is likely some of the reason the Shorebirds only carry two catchers on the roster, although Brandon Snyder could don the tools of ignorance in a pinch.
As the summer develops it will be interesting to see how Victor handles playing in a full-season league for the first time. Despite the cold weather, the hitting has come out well – hopefully as the weather warms the bat will stay torrid as well.
