Fabio Castro

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Texas Rangers #16 prospect in 2006
  The Royals took Castro from the White Sox with the No. 1 pick in the 2005 major league Rule 5 draft, then sent him to the Rangers in a prearranged deal for infielder Esteban German. After Chicago left Castro off its 40-man roster, he raised his profile with a strong winter in the Dominican League. His fastball was better than ever, sitting at 91-93 mph and touching 94. He was nearly untouchable down the stretch in high Class A, not allowing an earned run while striking out 16 in his final 14 innings. Castro complements his fastball with a good changeup that acts like a splitter at times. He also has a tight curveball with downward spin and a good feel for pitching. Despite his slight frame, Castro is durable and wants the ball every day. His delivery is clean and has some deception, though he needs to work on staying more upright so his stuff doesn't flatten out. His stuff is good enough for him to start, but he profiles as a lefthanded power arm out of the bullpen because of his size. As a major league Rule 5 draftee, he can't be sent to the minors in 2006 unless the Rangers pass him through waivers and offer him back to the White Sox for half his $50,000 draft price. Texas should be able to find room for a talented lefty prospect on its staff.
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  Ranked Chicago White Sox #27 prospect in 2005
  Few teenagers get regular work in the Dominican League, but Castro did during the offseason with the Cibao Giants. It was another step in a smooth progression that has seen him go 21-7 as a pro. He has worked mostly out of the bullpen, and continued to be tough to hit and show impressive poise after a late-August promotion to high Class A last year. Castro doesn't overpower hitters but knows how to maximize the effectiveness of his three pitches: a fastball that parks around 89-90 mph, a tight curveball and a changeup that shows signs of becoming an excellent pitch. The White Sox have been protective of Castro, worrying that his small frame couldn't handle a heavy workload, at least not while he's so young. He might not be far behind Gio Gonzalez if he does get a chance to start. Castro will start 2005 back in high Class A.
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  Ranked Chicago White Sox #16 prospect in 2004
  If his talent came in a bigger package, Castro already would have become a highly touted prospect. Don't be surprised if he emerges as one in the next couple of years. All the undersized lefthander has done for the last two years is get outs, first in the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League and then as an 18-year-old in the Appalachian League, where he faced mostly hitters coming from college. Castro has very good command of an 89-91 mph fastball, a breaking ball and a changeup. His secondary pitches need more consistency, as is typical with young pitchers. He made two late-season starts in low Class A, impressing with his poise as much as his stuff. Should he catch a growth spurt, he could turn into a monster. He'll return to Kannapolis in 2004 and could get a full-time look as a starter.