This story was excerpted from Justice delos Santos’ Pirates Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

Diego Castillo just keeps checking off boxes.

First game? Check. First hit? Check. First multi-hit game? Check. Now, first home run? Check, check and check.

“I dreamed about this moment,” said Castillo. “I’m proud that I got my first home run in the big leagues. I’m gonna add it to the best moment of my life list.”

Castillo played it cool as he rounded the bases, but he was all smiles when recalling the moment. Just like his first hit, his first home run ball will be going to his mom.

As we near April’s end, Castillo has a compelling case to be the full-time second baseman. He appears more comfortable with every plate appearance. He’s also already worth two defensive runs saved. Castillo will have to continue to prove his case, but so far, no one has been more deserving of the starting second base spot than Castillo.

“He’s a baseball player,” said manager Derek Shelton. “Any place we put him, anything we’ve done with him, he’s responded to it. He just continues to get better.”