Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Adrian Del Castillo made noted strides defensively last season, but he entered the offseason knowing there was another level he needed to reach to stick in Major League Baseball.
Del Castillo’s first cup of coffee in the big leagues was a whirlwind last year. He came up on fire at the plate amid a dominant season hitting in Triple-A Reno and continued to rake when he got to Arizona.
Defensively, he felt confident about how he handled the pitching staff, but runners took advantage of him and Jose Herrera with starter Gabriel Moreno on the injured list.
Del Castillo allowed 27 steals while throwing out two runners, and he was sent back down after Moreno returned.
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“It is what it is, there were a lot of things I needed to work on,” Del Castillo told Arizona Sports’ Burns & Gambo on Wednesday.
“There’s a learning factor as far as defense and being able to run a pitching staff, which I thought I did a good job of, but Gabi and Jose have had more experience with each guys, too. That’s a position that is tough defensively, you have to be solidified back there. I’m hoping this year I get that opportunity. I’m in a better spot. I already know what’s to come.”
Del Castillo described the work he put in this offseason to improve his pop time and throwing, which he displayed in his last game. On March 11, he threw out Kansas City’s Maikel Garcia trying to steal second with a smooth operation and a great throw. Garcia stole 37 bases last season, for what it is worth.
Del Castillo has not played in a Cactus League game since then, as manager Torey Lovullo said the catcher was dealing with a minor lower back/side issue. He got back behind the plate in a simulated game to catch Eduardo Rodriguez on Wednesday.
Diamondbacks catcher Adrian Del Castillo shares with @BurnsAndGambo which pitchers he's been impressed with this spring training.
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He explained his adjustments as giving himself a head start.
“It’s kind of like starting your load to be able to fire,” Del Castillo said. “I’m trying to get my body in a better position to just catch the ball and release it as quick as quick as I can.
“Letting the ball get as deep as I can. My problem too was I’m reaching for the ball, and I’m having to bring it back all the way to throw it. So letting the ball get deep, obviously, the ball is going faster than me catching it and moving my hands so get deep and let the ball turn me and just fire from that. Use my backside, use my legs more.”
Adrian Del Castillo’s tape study
Moreno is one of the best catchers in baseball in terms of throwing out runners, winning a Gold Glove in 2023 in large part for that reason. Del Castillo called Moreno one of the best throwers in the game, and someone he’d love to mimic, but he acknowledged not being able to precisely because they have different builds.
So, Del Castillo has watched tape of others, namely former Baltimore Orioles backstop and two-time Gold Glove winner Matt Wieters along with Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Endy Rodriguez.
“I looked at Endy Rodriguez for a little bit because he does this little preset with his leg up, kind of cheats, that gets his body kind of sideways,” Del Castillo said. “I talked to him this offseason too, actually.”
Del Castillo remains in big league camp entering the final weekend of spring training games as he competes for the backup catcher role. Herrera appears to have a leg up as a trusted veteran without any minor league options.
Del Castillo’s offense last year generated national interest in the form of prospects lists, as MLB Pipeline ranked the reigning Pacific Coast League MVP the fifth best D-backs prospect entering 2025.
There were questions about Del Castillo possibly filling other roles after last season, such as designated hitter or first base given the uncertainty entering the offseason.
Del Castillo started camp not knowing exactly what role he’d have come Opening Day, but what has been clear is the Diamondbacks want to see him continue to progress as a catcher.
“They don’t want to push me to any other position,” Del Castillo said. “They trust me, they feel confident in me back there.”
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