Adrian Del Castillo: Diamondbacks 2024 Minor League Player Of The Year
For the past two years, coaches in the Diamondbacks’ system were quietly confident about catcher Adrian Del Castillo’s future, believing there was more in the tank than what he had showed.
Del Castillo this year went about proving them right, putting together a dominant offensive season at Triple-A Reno, then swinging the bat well in the majors following a late-season callup.
The 24-year-old hit a robust .312/.399/.603 with 26 home runs in 105 games. At the time of his callup, he led the Pacific Coast League in hits, doubles, slugging and OPS and was second in homers.
“He catches four times a week, which taxes the body,” D-backs farm director Shaun Larkin said. “But what he did offensively while in conjunction with working on his craft behind the plate and all the things that go into game-calling and blocking and throwing, and then—oh by the way—he put up the numbers he has . . .
“It’s pretty spectacular.”
Del Castillo said his success at the plate was the product of continuously learning and honing his craft. He said over the years he has learned to pay closer attention to opposing pitchers and how they attack other lefthanded hitters like himself and to stick with a plan when he goes to the plate.
“You learn from playing a bunch of games, and coaches helping you out who have experience,” Del Castillo said. “Every single thing they told me, I took it serious. They’re telling me for a reason.”
Del Castillo is far from a finished product. Though he has been an offensive force since getting called up to fill in for the injured Gabriel Moreno, he has struggled with controlling the running game.
Big league basestealers were 27-for-29 when attempting to steal with Del Castillo behind the plate. D-backs manager Torey Lovullo believes the majority of those are on the pitching staff but adds that a fraction of them could be prevented.
“The blocking and receiving have been very good,” Lovullo said. “The throwing is still a work in progress. I know the numbers don’t show up as good as we want them to, but I know he’s working his butt off to make that happen.”
