.gif)
Alberto Castillo (pitcher)
Encyclopedia
Alberto Castillo Betancourt (born July 5, 1975, in Havana
, Cuba
) is a Cuba
n professional baseball
pitcher
who is a free agent.
in the 1994 amateur draft
, Castillo began his career in the Giants organization as a first baseman
, although he did pitch a few times that season for the Everett Giants. After playing first base exclusively in 1995, he was converted to a full-time pitcher the following year.
He spent two more seasons in the Giants system, playing for the Bellingham Giants in 1996 and the San Jose Giants
in 1997. That offseason, he was traded by the Giants to the New York Yankees
in November 1997 as part of a package for Charlie Hayes
. Castillo spent just one season, 1998, in the Yankees' farm system, splitting the season between the Greensboro Bats and Tampa Yankees
.
. The White Sox released Castillo during spring training
, and he spent the 1999 season with the Schaumburg Flyers
of the independent Northern League. In 2000, Castillo was brought to spring training by the San Diego Padres
, but they, too, released him, and Castillo returned to the Flyers.
of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball
. In 2003, he was again invited to spring training by an MLB team, this time the St. Louis Cardinals
. Once again, however, he was released before the season began, and he returned to the Bears.
In 2004, Castillo found himself without a major league team in the spring for the first time. He started the 2004 season with the Atlantic City Surf
of the Atlantic League, then played for the Tuneros de San Luis Potosí of the Mexican League. After missing 2005 due to elbow surgery, Castillo played for the Atlantic League's Road Warriors in 2006 and the beginning of 2007. He finished 2007 with the Camden Riversharks
.
in 2008. He began that season with the Baltimore Orioles' Triple-A affiliate, the Norfolk Tides
, before making his major league debut on July 8, 2008. He spent the rest of the season with the Orioles, appearing in 28 games.
Castillo split the 2009 season between the Orioles and Norfolk, and began 2010 with the Tides as well. Castillo was recalled to the majors shortly thereafter, but on June 10 Castillo was designated for assignment to make room on the Orioles' roster for Jake Arrieta
. He was then returned to Norfolk, where he finished the season. He was granted free agency on October 5, 2010. He was re-signed by the Orioles to a minor league contract in December 2010. After appearing in 20 games for Norfolk, he was granted free agency on June 15, 2011.
signed Castillo to a minor league deal. He had his contract purchased on June 28. Castillo became a free agent on October 21.
Havana
Havana is the capital city, province, major port, and leading commercial centre of Cuba. The city proper has a population of 2.1 million inhabitants, and it spans a total of — making it the largest city in the Caribbean region, and the most populous...
, Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
) is a Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
n professional baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
who is a free agent.
Amateur career
Castillo played for Cuba in the 1993 World Junior Championships in Windsor, Ontario, at which time he defected.Giants and Yankees
After being selected by the San Francisco GiantsSan Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
in the 1994 amateur draft
1994 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1994 Major League Baseball draft.-Compensation picks:-Other notable players:*A.J. Pierzynski , Minnesota Twins, 3rd round*Bobby Howry , San Francisco Giants, 5th round...
, Castillo began his career in the Giants organization as a first baseman
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
, although he did pitch a few times that season for the Everett Giants. After playing first base exclusively in 1995, he was converted to a full-time pitcher the following year.
He spent two more seasons in the Giants system, playing for the Bellingham Giants in 1996 and the San Jose Giants
San Jose Giants
The San Jose Giants are a minor league baseball team in San Jose, California, USA. They are a Class A - Advanced team in the Northern Division of the California League, and have been a farm team of the San Francisco Giants since 1988. Home games are played at San Jose Municipal Stadium...
in 1997. That offseason, he was traded by the Giants to the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
in November 1997 as part of a package for Charlie Hayes
Charlie Hayes
Charles Dewayne Hayes is a former third baseman in Major League Baseball who played for the San Francisco Giants , Philadelphia Phillies , New York Yankees , Colorado Rockies , Pittsburgh Pirates , Milwaukee Brewers and Houston Astros...
. Castillo spent just one season, 1998, in the Yankees' farm system, splitting the season between the Greensboro Bats and Tampa Yankees
Tampa Yankees
The Tampa Yankees are a minor league baseball team based in Tampa, Florida. They are currently members of the Florida State League and are the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the New York Yankees Major League Baseball team. Home games are played at George M. Steinbrenner Field, a miniature replica of...
.
Northern League
The Yankees released Castillo in January 1999, and he was signed by the Chicago White SoxChicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
. The White Sox released Castillo during spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
, and he spent the 1999 season with the Schaumburg Flyers
Schaumburg Flyers
The Schaumburg Flyers were a professional baseball team based in Schaumburg, Illinois, in the United States. The Flyers were to be a charter member of the North American League, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, however, the team folded in March of 2011, before they began play in...
of the independent Northern League. In 2000, Castillo was brought to spring training by the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
, but they, too, released him, and Castillo returned to the Flyers.
Atlantic League
After the 2000 season, Castillo was signed by the Tampa Bay Rays, but he missed the entire 2001 season, and was released before the beginning of the 2002 season. He returned to the independent leagues, signing with the Newark BearsNewark Bears
The Newark Bears are an American professional baseball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are a member of the Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. Since the 1999 season, the Bears have played their home games at Bears &...
of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball
Atlantic League of Professional Baseball
The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball is a professional, independent baseball organization located primarily in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States, especially the greater metropolitan areas of the Northeast megalopolis. It operates in cities not served by Major or Minor League...
. In 2003, he was again invited to spring training by an MLB team, this time the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
. Once again, however, he was released before the season began, and he returned to the Bears.
In 2004, Castillo found himself without a major league team in the spring for the first time. He started the 2004 season with the Atlantic City Surf
Atlantic City Surf
The Atlantic City Surf were a professional baseball team based in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The Surf was most recently a member of the Can-Am League, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball...
of the Atlantic League, then played for the Tuneros de San Luis Potosí of the Mexican League. After missing 2005 due to elbow surgery, Castillo played for the Atlantic League's Road Warriors in 2006 and the beginning of 2007. He finished 2007 with the Camden Riversharks
Camden Riversharks
The Camden Riversharks is an American professional baseball team based in Camden, New Jersey. They are a member of the Liberty Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball...
.
Baltimore Orioles
Castillo finally returned to affiliated baseball when he was signed to a minor league contract by the Baltimore OriolesBaltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
in 2008. He began that season with the Baltimore Orioles' Triple-A affiliate, the Norfolk Tides
Norfolk Tides
The Norfolk Tides are a minor league baseball team in the Triple-A International League. They play at Harbor Park in Norfolk, Virginia. Since 2007 they have been a farm team of the Baltimore Orioles; prior to that, they had a 38-year affiliation with the New York Mets.-Franchise history:The...
, before making his major league debut on July 8, 2008. He spent the rest of the season with the Orioles, appearing in 28 games.
Castillo split the 2009 season between the Orioles and Norfolk, and began 2010 with the Tides as well. Castillo was recalled to the majors shortly thereafter, but on June 10 Castillo was designated for assignment to make room on the Orioles' roster for Jake Arrieta
Jake Arrieta
Jacob Joseph Arrieta is a right-handed starting pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles.-Early life:...
. He was then returned to Norfolk, where he finished the season. He was granted free agency on October 5, 2010. He was re-signed by the Orioles to a minor league contract in December 2010. After appearing in 20 games for Norfolk, he was granted free agency on June 15, 2011.
Arizona Diamondbacks
On June 18, 2011 the Arizona DiamondbacksArizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
signed Castillo to a minor league deal. He had his contract purchased on June 28. Castillo became a free agent on October 21.