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Luis Castillo 2023 Player Outlook: Higher-End Starter Option With New Home Park
2 years agoSeattle Mariners starting pitcher Luis Castillo enjoyed a strong bounce-back 2022 season with the Reds and Mariners. Castillo compiled a combined 8-6 record with a 2.99 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and 27.2% strikeout rate in 25 starts and 150 1/3 innings pitched. After an up-and-down 2021 campaign, Castillo posted a career-low ERA, while his strikeout rate and walk rate returned to his career averages. One potential downside to note is Castillo did give up harder contact, with an average exit velocity in the 35th percentile of baseball and a hard-hit rate in the 53rd. This came with a career-high 10.4-degree launch angle. The good news is that Castillo was able to escape one of baseball's least pitcher-friendly parks in the first half for one of the more pitcher-friendly parks in Seattle, where he will presumably pitch all of his home games in 2023. Castillo is currently being drafted as the 71st player overall, making him the 28th pitcher drafted. There are nine relief pitchers going ahead of Castillo, who now has six seasons of offering mid-rotation fantasy production with high-end upside. Given the caliber of relief pitchers being drafted after him and his high floor and ceiling, Castillo's ADP among other SP seems fair, while his overall ADP seems a bit low.
