Starlin Castro facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Starlin Castro |
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Castro with the Washington Nationals in 2021
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| Free agent | |||
| Infielder | |||
| Born: March 24, 1990 Monte Cristi, Dominican Republic |
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| debut | |||
| May 7, 2010, for the Chicago Cubs | |||
| MLB statistics (through 2021 season) |
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| Batting average | .280 | ||
| Hits | 1,722 | ||
| Home runs | 138 | ||
| Runs batted in | 678 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
Starlin DeJesus Castro was born on March 24, 1990, in the Dominican Republic. He is a professional baseball player who plays as an infielder. Starlin has played for several teams in Major League Baseball (MLB), including the Chicago Cubs, New York Yankees, Miami Marlins, and Washington Nationals. He is known for being a four-time MLB All-Star. He also holds a special record for the most runs batted in (RBIs) during his very first MLB game. In 2011, he led the National League in hits, becoming the youngest player ever to do so.
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Starlin Castro's Baseball Journey
Starting in the Minor Leagues
Starlin Castro began his professional baseball career in the minor leagues. In 2009, he was chosen for the Florida State League All-Star team. He even won the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award for that game! He hit a special inside-the-park home run and had four hits in four tries.
He was also picked to play in the All-Star Futures Game for the World Team. After this successful season, Baseball America magazine named Castro the best young player in the Chicago Cubs' system.
Playing for the Chicago Cubs
Making His MLB Debut in 2010
On May 7, 2010, Starlin Castro was called up to the major leagues. He joined the Chicago Cubs from their Double-A team, the Tennessee Smokies. This was a big moment because he became the first MLB player born in the 1990s.
In his very first time at bat in the major leagues, he hit a three-run home run! This made him one of only a few players in Cubs history to hit a home run in their first MLB at-bat. Later in the same game, he hit a triple with the bases loaded. This set a new record for the most runs batted in (RBIs) in a major league debut, with six RBIs. He ended that first game with two hits in five tries, helping the Cubs win 14–7.
Castro finished his first season with a .300 batting average. He also had three home runs and 41 RBIs in 125 games. Even though he was great at hitting, he made 27 errors at shortstop, which was one of the highest in the National League.
At the end of 2010, Baseball America named him the shortstop on their All-Rookie Team. He also finished tied for fifth in the voting for the Major League Baseball Rookie of the Year Award.
All-Star Seasons with the Cubs
2011: First All-Star Selection
The 2011 season was Starlin Castro's first full year in MLB. It was also the year he was first chosen for the All-Star Game. He was one of three shortstops picked for the National League team. Castro was the youngest Chicago Cubs player ever to be named an All-Star. In the All-Star Game, he stole two bases, which tied a record for the most stolen bases in a single All-Star Game.
On September 23, 2011, Castro got his 200th hit of the season. This happened against the St. Louis Cardinals. He was the youngest Cubs player to reach 200 hits in a season.
Castro became the youngest player ever to lead the National League in hits. He achieved this with his 207th hit on September 28, 2011. His jersey from that game was sent to the Hall of Fame. For the 2011 season, he had a .307 batting average, 10 home runs, and 66 RBIs. His 207 hits and 674 times at bat both led the National League.
2012: Another All-Star Year
Castro was again selected for the National League All-Star team in 2012. He played in all 162 games that season. He finished with a .283 batting average, 14 home runs, and 78 RBIs. He also led the National League in times at bat (646) and assists as a shortstop (465). In August, Castro and the Cubs agreed to a contract that would keep him with the team until at least 2019.
2013: A Challenging Season
The 2013 season was a bit tougher for Castro. His batting average dropped to .245, which was the lowest of his career. He hit 10 home runs and had 44 RBIs. He played in 161 games that year.
2014: Back to All-Star Form
After a difficult 2013, Castro was chosen for his third All-Star game in 2014. Unfortunately, his season ended early on September 2. He got injured sliding into home plate during a game against the Milwaukee Brewers. He finished the year with a strong .292 batting average, 14 home runs, and 65 RBIs. He was the best-hitting shortstop in the National League that year.
2015: Changing Positions
In 2015, there was talk that Castro might be traded to another team. However, his manager, Joe Maddon, told him he would not be traded.
Later in the season, Castro was benched because he wasn't playing as well. His batting average was a career low .236. A rookie player, Addison Russell, took over as the everyday shortstop. On August 12, Castro moved to play second base instead. On September 18, he had a great game against the Cardinals, hitting two home runs and matching his career high with six RBIs.
Time with the New York Yankees
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On December 8, 2015, Starlin Castro was traded to the New York Yankees. In his first game with the Yankees on April 6, 2016, he had 5 RBIs. He set a new team record for the most RBIs in his first two games with the Yankees, with seven. On April 9, Castro got his 1000th career hit. On June 22, he hit his first ever walk-off home run, which means he hit a home run that won the game in the final inning. He finished the 2016 season with a .270 batting average, a career-high 21 home runs, and 70 RBIs.
In 2017, Castro hit a game-tying two-run home run in the 9th inning against the Baltimore Orioles. He was placed on the disabled list twice due to a hamstring injury. He finished 2017 with a .300 batting average, 16 home runs, and 63 RBIs in 112 games.
Playing for the Miami Marlins
On December 11, 2017, Castro was traded to the Miami Marlins. He finished his first season with the Marlins with a .278 batting average, 12 home runs, and 54 RBIs.
In 2019, Castro started playing third base in early August. This happened when the team brought up a new player, Isan Díaz, from the minor leagues. Castro's performance improved later in the season. He finished with a .270 batting average and set new career highs with 22 home runs and 86 RBIs. He was one of only five MLB players in 2019 to play all 162 games.
On October 31, 2019, the Marlins decided not to keep him for the 2020 season, and he became a free agent.
Time with the Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals signed Castro to a two-year contract on January 7, 2020. He made his Nationals debut on Opening Day, July 23, 2020, as the starting second baseman against his old team, the New York Yankees. On August 14, Castro broke his wrist while trying to make a play. He had surgery and missed the rest of the year. For the season, he had a .267 batting average, 2 home runs, and 4 RBIs.
On June 15, 2021, Castro was placed on the restricted list for a family matter. He was later released by the Nationals on September 2, 2021.
Playing in Mexico and Independent League
Leones de Yucatán
On June 27, 2022, Castro signed with the Leones de Yucatán team in the Mexican League. He played 28 games there, hitting .240 with 1 home run and 9 RBIs. He left the team on August 14 for personal reasons.
Spire City Ghost Hounds
On April 24, 2023, Castro signed with the Spire City Ghost Hounds in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. This team was new and didn't have a name yet when he joined! In 43 games, he batted .305 with one home run and 24 RBIs. The Ghost Hounds announced they would not play in 2024 but plan to return in 2025. Castro became a free agent again after not being chosen by other teams in a special draft.
See also
In Spanish: Starlin Castro para niños
- List of players with a home run in first major league at-bat
