Harold Castro’s tenure with the Detroit Tigers ended on a string of three consecutive three-hit games.
Since then, perhaps it’s no surprise that Hittin’ Harold hasn’t stopped hitting.
Castro hit .374 in 103 plate appearances during the Venezuelan winter league regular season, then had two walk-off home runs in the playoffs, including the blast that sent his team to the Caribbean Series.
The Tigers non-tendered Castro in December. At the time, he had the longest tenure in the Tigers’ organization after Miguel Cabrera.
Castro signed a minor-league deal with the Colorado Rockies and hit .302 this spring in his first stint in the Arizona-based Cactus League.
On Saturday, the team made it official that Castro had won a spot on the Opening Day roster.
Castro, 29, went from minor-league obscurity to a fan-favorite as a super-utility player with the Tigers. Known as “Hittin’ Harold,” Castro was also good for a clutch single, even if he rarely walked and his power was limited.
He made his Major League debut in 2018 after when he was summoned back to the United States late in the season after having already gone home to Venezuela. The following year he became an unlikely regular while playing a variety of positions. In 2022, Castro posted a .681 OPS (98+) in 443 plate appearances, which made him among the Tigers’ top hitters in a struggling lineup.
Castro was one of four longtime Tigers non-tendered this winter who later signed minor-league contracts with other clubs.
Outfielder Victor Reyes was reassigned to minor-league camp last week by the Chicago White Sox. Infielder/outfielder Willi Castro (no relation) appears on track to win a roster spot with the Minnesota Twins.
Jeimer Candelario signed a one-year, $5 million contract with the Washington Nationals and is likely to be their everyday third baseman.
The Twins have released three other former Tigers over the last week, including catcher Grayson Greiner, right-handed pitcher Nolan Blackwood and left-handed pitcher Locke St. John. All three were in camp on minor-league deals.
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March 26, 2023 at 08:32PM
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After strong spring, Harold Castro cements roster spot - MLive.com
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