Ángel M. Castro (born November 14, 1982) is a Dominican professional

baseball Baseball is a bat-and-ball games, bat-and-ball sport played between two team sport, teams of nine players each, taking turns batting (baseball), batting and Fielding (baseball), fielding. The game occurs over the course of several Pitch ...

pitcher In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throws ("Pitch (baseball), pitches") the Baseball (ball), baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of out (baseball), retiring a batter (baseball), batter, ...

who is a free agent. He has previously played in

Major League Baseball Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball league composed of 30 teams, divided equally between the National League (baseball), National League (NL) and the American League (AL), with 29 in the United States and 1 in Canada. MLB i ...

(MLB) for the

Oakland Athletics The Oakland Athletics (frequently referred to as the Oakland A's) were an American Major League Baseball (MLB) team based in Oakland, California from 1968 to 2024. The Athletics were a member club of the American League (AL) American League We ...

and in

Nippon Professional Baseball is a professional baseball league and the highest level of baseball in Japan. Locally, it is often called , meaning simply ''Professional Baseball''; outside of Japan, NPB is often referred to as "Japanese baseball". The roots of the league ...

(NPB) for the

Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks The are a Japanese professional baseball team based in Fukuoka, Fukuoka Prefecture. They compete in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) as a member of the Pacific League. Founded on February 22, 1938, as the Nankai Club, being the first Kansai t ...

Career

Detroit Tigers

Castro attended Western Oklahoma State College in

Altus, Oklahoma Altus () is a city in and the county seat of Jackson County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 18,729 at the 2020 census. Altus is home to Altus Air Force Base, the United States Air Force training base for C-17, KC-46 and KC-135 ...

. The

Detroit Tigers The Detroit Tigers are an American professional baseball team based in Detroit. The Tigers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. One of the AL's eight chart ...

drafted Castro in the 13th round, with the 382nd overall selection, of the 2006 Major League Baseball draft. He made his professional debut with the Dominican Summer League Tigers. Castro split the 2007 season between the Single–A

West Michigan Whitecaps The West Michigan Whitecaps are a Minor League Baseball team of the Midwest League and the High-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers. They are located in Comstock Park, Michigan, a suburb of Grand Rapids, and play their home games at LMCU Ballpar ...

and High–A

Lakeland Flying Tigers The Lakeland Flying Tigers are a Minor League Baseball team of the Florida State League and the Single-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers. They are located in Lakeland, Florida, and play their home games at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium. ...

. In 27 games (25 starts) between the two affiliates, he accumulated an 11–6 record and 3.39 ERA with 78 strikeouts across innings pitched. Castro spent the 2008 campaign with Lakeland and the Double–A

Erie SeaWolves The Erie SeaWolves are an American professional baseball team based in Erie, Pennsylvania. They compete in Minor League Baseball (MiLB) as a member of the Eastern League's Southwest Division, serving as the Double-A affiliate of the Detroit Ti ...

. In 47 combined games out of the

bullpen In baseball, the bullpen (or simply the pen) is the area where relief pitchers warm up before entering a game. A team's roster of relief pitchers is also metonymically referred to as "the bullpen". These pitchers usually wait in the bullpen if ...

, he compiled a 3.08 ERA with 52 strikeouts and 7 saves across 79 innings of work.

Philadelphia Phillies

On June 2, 2009, Castro signed a minor league contract with the

Philadelphia Phillies The Philadelphia Phillies are an American professional baseball team based in Philadelphia. The Phillies compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) East Division. Since 2004, the team's home stadium has ...

. In 14 games for the Double–A

Reading Phillies Reading is the process of taking in the sense or meaning of symbols, often specifically those of a written language, by means of sight or touch. For educators and researchers, reading is a multifaceted process involving such areas as word re ...

, he recorded a 7.00 ERA with 10 strikeouts across 18 innings of work. Castro was released by the Phillies organization on July 31.

Tampa Bay Rays

On August 8, 2009, Castro signed a minor league contract with the

Tampa Bay Rays The Tampa Bay Rays are an American professional baseball team based in the Tampa Bay area. The Rays compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League East, East Division. They are one of two major ...

. He spent the remainder of the year with the High–A

Charlotte Stone Crabs The Charlotte Stone Crabs were a Minor League Baseball team located in Port Charlotte, Florida, from 2009 to 2020. They competed in the Florida State League (FSL) as the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays Major League Baseball (MLB) ...

and Double–A

Montgomery Biscuits The Montgomery Biscuits are a Minor League Baseball team based in Montgomery, Alabama. They are the Double-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays and play in the Southern League. The team was founded in Orlando, Florida, in 1973 as the Orlando Twins ...

. Castro struggled with both affiliates, recording a 6.75 ERA in two games for Montgomery, and a 22.50 ERA in four games for Charlotte. He elected free agency following the season on November 9.

Lincoln Saltdogs

Castro signed with the

Lincoln Saltdogs The Lincoln Saltdogs are a professional baseball team based in Lincoln, Nebraska, in the United States. The Saltdogs are in the American Association of Professional Baseball, an official Partner League of Major League Baseball. Since the 2001 se ...

of the

American Association of Independent Professional Baseball The American Association of Professional Baseball is an independent professional baseball league founded in 2005. It operates in the central United States and Canada, mostly in cities not served by Major League Baseball teams or their minor lea ...

for the 2010 season. In 6 starts for Lincoln, he went 3–3 with a 3.16 ERA and 21 strikeouts across innings pitched.

Dorados de Chihuahua

On June 20, 2010, Castro signed with the Dorados de Chihuahua of the

Mexican League The Mexican Baseball League (, or LMB, ) is a professional baseball league in Mexico. It is the oldest running professional sports league in the country. The league has 20 teams organized in two divisions, North and South. Teams play 114 games ...

. In five starts with Chihuahua, Castro pitched to a 3–1 record and 4.70 ERA with 24 strikeouts across innings of work.

Saraperos de Saltillo

On May 24, 2011, Castro signed with the Saraperos de Saltillo of the

. In 21 appearances for Saltillo, Castro logged a 5.45 ERA with 34 strikeouts and 4 saves across innings.

Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks

Castro signed with the

for the 2012 season. He only made three appearances for the Hawks' main club, recording a 6.00 ERA with two strikeouts in three innings of work.

Los Angeles Dodgers

On December 7, 2012, Castro signed a minor league contract with the

Los Angeles Dodgers The Los Angeles Dodgers are an American professional baseball team based in Los Angeles. The Dodgers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League West, West Div ...

. In 25 games (19 starts) for the Triple–A

Albuquerque Isotopes The Albuquerque Isotopes are a Minor League Baseball team of the Pacific Coast League and the Triple-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies. They play home games at Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park in Albuquerque, New Mexico, at an ...

, he registered an 8–5 record and 3.48 ERA with 91 strikeouts across innings pitched. Castro elected free agency following the season on November 4, 2013.

St. Louis Cardinals

On December 11, 2013, Castro signed a one-year deal with the

St. Louis Cardinals The St. Louis Cardinals are an American professional baseball team based in St. Louis. The Cardinals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Centra ...

. On March 23, 2014, he was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to the Triple–A.

Memphis Redbirds The Memphis Redbirds are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. They are located in Memphis, Tennessee, and are named for their Major League Baseball affiliate. The Redbird ...

. Castro made 26 appearances (14 starts) for Memphis, logging a 9–6 record and 4.01 ERA with 63 strikeouts across innings pitched.

Oakland Athletics

On August 8, 2014, Castro was traded to the

organization for cash considerations. He spent the remainder of the year with the Triple–A

Sacramento River Cats The Sacramento River Cats are a Minor League Baseball team of the Pacific Coast League (PCL) and are the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants. Prior to 2015, the River Cats were the Triple-A affiliate of the Oakland ...

, posting a 7.78 ERA across 4 starts. Castro began the 2015 season with the Triple-A

Nashville Sounds The Nashville Sounds are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. They are located in Nashville, Tennessee, Nashville, Tennessee, and are named for the ci ...

. On May 8, 2015, Castro was selected to the

40-man roster A Major League Baseball roster is a list of players who are allowed, by league agreement, to play for a Major League Baseball (MLB) team. Each MLB team maintains two rosters: an active roster of players eligible to participate in an MLB game, an ...

and promoted to the major leagues for the first time. He would be optioned down to Nashville on June 2. In 5 appearances for Oakland during his rookie campaign, Castro recorded a 2.25 ERA with 4 strikeouts across 4 innings pitched. On September 1, he was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to Triple–A Nashville. Castro elected free agency after the season on October 5. On November 4, 2015, Castro re–signed with Oakland on a minor league contract. He made 37 appearances (10 starts) for Nashville in 2016, registering a 2–8 record and 5.15 ERA with 58 strikeouts across innings. Castro elected free agency following the season on November 7, 2016.

Sultanes de Monterrey

On March 30, 2017, Castro signed with the

Sultanes de Monterrey The Sultanes de Monterrey (English: Monterrey Sultans) are a professional baseball club in the Mexican League (LMB) based in Monterrey, Mexico. Established in 1939 as Carta Blanca, the Sultanes have won ten LMB titles, most recently in 2018. Fro ...

of the

. In 22 starts for Monterey, he compiled an 11–6 record and 4.28 ERA with 96 strikeouts across innings of work. Castro was released by the Sultanes on January 12, 2018.

Bravos de Leon

On March 4, 2018, Castro signed with the

Bravos de León The Bravos de León (English: León Braves) are a professional baseball team in the Mexican League based in León, Guanajuato, Mexico. History Cachorros de León (1979–80) Mexican League baseball in León began in 1979 when the Alijadore ...

of the

Mexican Baseball League The Mexican Baseball League (, or LMB, ) is a professional baseball league in Mexico. It is the oldest running professional sports league in the country. The league has 20 teams organized in two divisions, North and South. Teams play 114 games ...

. In 7 games (5 starts) for León, Castro recorded a 4.44 ERA with 11 strikeouts across innings pitched.

Guerreros de Oaxaca

On June 27, 2018, Castro was traded to the

Guerreros de Oaxaca The Guerreros de Oaxaca (English: Oaxaca Warriors) are a professional baseball team in the Mexican League based in Oaxaca City, Oaxaca, Mexico. Their home field is Estadio Eduardo Vasconcelos. History In October 1995, a group of businessmen, ...

of the

. In 7 starts for Oaxaca, he struggled to a 5.66 ERA with 30 strikeouts in 35 innings. Castro was released by the organization on August 9.

Toronto Maple Leafs

On June 26, 2022, after three years of inactivity, Castro signed with the

Toronto Maple Leafs The Toronto Maple Leafs (officially the Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Club and often referred to as the Leafs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto. The Maple Leafs compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the A ...

of the Intercounty Baseball League. In 9 starts for the club, he posted a 3–4 record and 5.98 ERA with 45 strikeouts across innings of work. On April 21, 2024, Castro re–signed with the Maple Leafs after spending the 2023 season out of baseball. In 11 starts for Toronto, he struggled to a 2-6 record and 6.03 ERA with 71 strikeouts across innings pitched. Castro was released by the Maple Leafs on May 7.

International career

Castro played for the

Dominican Republic national baseball team The Dominican Republic national baseball team ( Spanish: ''Selección de béisbol de República Dominicana'') is the national baseball team of the Dominican Republic. The team has won the Baseball World Cup in 1948 and World Baseball Classic in 2 ...

in the 2011 Baseball World Cup and the

2013 World Baseball Classic The 2013 World Baseball Classic (WBC) was an international professional baseball competition, held from March 2 to 19, 2013. This was the third iteration of the WBC, following the two previous tournaments, held in 2006 and 2009. Unlike the tw ...

References

External links

{{DEFAULTSORT:Castro, Angel 1982 births Living people Albuquerque Isotopes players Águilas Cibaeñas players Azucareros del Este players Baseball players at the 2019 Pan American Games Bravos de León players Charlotte Stone Crabs players Dominican Republic expatriate baseball players in Canada Dominican Republic expatriate baseball players in Japan Dominican Republic expatriate baseball players in Mexico Dominican Republic expatriate baseball players in the United States Dominican Summer League Tigers players Dorados de Chihuahua players Erie SeaWolves players Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks players Guerreros de Oaxaca players Lakeland Flying Tigers players Lincoln Saltdogs players Major League Baseball pitchers Major League Baseball players from the Dominican Republic 21st-century Dominican Republic sportsmen Memphis Redbirds players Mexican League baseball pitchers Montgomery Biscuits players Nashville Sounds players Navegantes del Magallanes players Nippon Professional Baseball pitchers Oakland Athletics players Sportspeople from Santiago Province (Dominican Republic) Reading Phillies players Sacramento River Cats players Saraperos de Saltillo players Sultanes de Monterrey players Tomateros de Culiacán players Toros del Este players West Michigan Whitecaps players Western Oklahoma State Pioneers baseball players World Baseball Classic players of the Dominican Republic 2013 World Baseball Classic players Pan American Games baseball players for the Dominican Republic Dominican Republic expatriate baseball players in Venezuela