7-Year Veteran Pitcher With Impressive Numbers Elects Free Agency

Seven-year MLB veteran pitcher Diego Castillo has chosen to enter free agency after being designated for assignment by the Minnesota Twins, according to the team's transaction log on MLB.com. 

Having initially signed a minor league deal with the Twins during spring training, Castillo was promoted to the major league roster in late May. 

Despite showing promising signs, particularly in the minors, his stint in the majors was marked by control issues, evidenced by seven walks over seven innings where he allowed just two runs.

In Triple-A St. Paul, however, Castillo demonstrated considerable promise, posting a 2.50 ERA across 18 innings with a strong 29.7% strikeout rate and a commendable 54.4% ground ball rate. 

His fastball velocity also showed significant improvement after a dip during his time with the Seattle Mariners in 2023, Castillo's fastball averaged 95.7 mph during his appearances for the Twins this season.

With a robust track record that includes a 3.12 ERA from 2018 to 2022 while serving in both closer and setup roles for the Tampa Bay Rays and Seattle Mariners, Castillo brings valuable experience to the free agent market. 

His recent performance in Triple-A, combined with his proven ability in high-leverage situations, makes him an attractive candidate for teams looking to bolster their bullpen on flexible terms. 

As Castillo approaches five years of MLB service, any potential new contract could include arbitration eligibility through the 2025 season, adding strategic value for interested teams.

Over his seven-year MLB career, Castillo holds an impressive 3.20 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, along with 307 strikeouts across 275.1 innings and 263 appearances.

Photo Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports