Castillo (2 HRs) forcing way into OD roster consideration

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The first one barely snuck over the left-field fence. Maybe it got a little assistance from the wind. But the second? The second one left no space for doubt, a majestic blast that Diego Castillo described as the farthest ball he has ever hit. For Castillo, who's vying for his first taste of The Show, his multi-homer showing in Wednesday's 9-4 loss was just the latest way he has literally and figuratively turned heads.

Castillo continued his recent stretch of excellence, clubbing two home runs to further strengthen his case for cracking the Opening Day roster. With a week remaining until the season begins, the 24-year-old is quickly becoming a favorite to round out Pittsburgh’s big league squad.

“He’s really doing it right now,” said Cole Tucker. “He’s really making it easy for everybody to look at him and say, ‘He’s a really good baseball player.’ He’s showing up. Homer off [Gerrit] Cole [on Sunday], two today, sick play at short -- he’s doing it.”

To those who observed batting practice, Castillo’s multi-homer game may not have come as a surprise. As fans were trickling into Hammond Stadium, Castillo was sending batting practice pitches over the lawn beyond the left-field fence and onto the concourse. He attributed it to a morning phone call with his parents, as well as a hearty pregame meal consisting of eggs, sausage, pancakes and a sandwich.

“That gave me a little bit of energy,” Castillo said.

Along with the two home runs, Castillo, who started at shortstop, made the defensive play of the afternoon. On a Luis Arraez grounder towards the six-hole, Castillo ranged to his right, fielded the ball on the backhand, jumped and fired across the diamond to nab Arraez just in time. The play evoked memories of Derek Jeter who, coincidentally enough, is Castillo’s favorite player. Tucker, who made a rare start in left field, only needed one word to describe the play: “Unbelievable.”

Added starting pitcher Bryse Wilson, who allowed three runs in 3 1/3 innings with four strikeouts: “I was like, ‘If he pulls this off, this is impressive.’ Also, if Arraez would’ve beaten it out, I probably would’ve been pretty upset too, because it was a perfectly executed pitch.”

Among those still in big league camp who are fighting for a roster spot, none has impressed more than Castillo. He has not yet made his Major League debut, but down in Florida, Castillo has shown off the complete breadth of his talents in pursuit of suiting up for the Pirates this season.

Though Castillo is primarily a middle infielder, he has made several outstanding plays at third base this spring as well. When manager Derek Shelton was asked about Castillo’s candidacy prior to the game, Pittsburgh’s skipper didn't hesitate to provide an answer.

“I would say that it’s fair to say that he is in competition for a job on the club,” Shelton said.

As good as Castillo has been, there was a time in the not-too-distant past when it was fair to wonder if he would rise past the Double-A level. In his first five years as a Minor Leaguer, Castillo was a serviceable-yet-unspectacular hitter. He homered just eight times with a .659 OPS. If nothing changed, he likely would’ve stagnated. Then, the confidence arrived.

Castillo admitted that he didn’t always believe he could hit for power. Last season, that mentality shifted. He found belief. Then came a career-defining run.

His breakout season began with the Somerset Patriots, the Yankees’ Double-A affiliate. In 58 games, he hit 11 home runs, eclipsing his career total to that point before July. When the Pirates acquired Castillo and Hoy Park in exchange for Clay Holmes, Castillo kept on hitting. He finished the season with 19 home runs and an .843 OPS. Compared to his first half-decade in the Minor Leagues, Castillo had transformed.

“We knew when we acquired him that his baseball acumen was really high,” Shelton said. “You watch him and he’s very steady for a guy that doesn’t have a lot of upper-level experience.”

While Castillo attributed confidence to the increase in power, Shelton pointed out that the infielder’s contact point is more out in front, allowing him to take better swings. But whether it be mental or mechanical, Castillo has picked the perfect time to play some of his best ball. With each passing game, he’s turning more heads. Opening Day is within sight, and Castillo’s inclusion on the Pirates’ first roster of the year would no longer be a surprise.