Jose Castillo Proved His Mettle At World Baseball Classic

PEORIA, Ariz.—Lefthander Jose Castillo made seven appearances last summer in the high Class A California League, which represented the apex of the 21-year-old Venezuelan’s pro career prior to March.

That didn’t prevent Venezuela manager Omar Vizquel from putting Castillo to the test in the World Baseball Classic.

Vizquel summoned Castillo in a big spot in a second-round matchup against the United States. With one out, runners on second and third base, and Venezuela clinging to a one-run lead, Castillo was called upon to face Christian Yelich and Nolan Arenado.

“He’s been so calm and tranquil,” Vizquel said after Venezuela’s second-round loss to the U.S. “He’s been super effective not only with the righthanders (but also) lefthanders, especially in crucial (spots) where I gave him the opportunity to take people out . . .

“What he has demonstrated with his looks, his calmness on the mound, that has given me trust to use him in that manner.”

The trust paid off.

Castillo got Yelich to swing through an 82 mph slider for a three-pitch strikeout. Then he fanned Arenado on a 3-2 pitch—again with an 82 mph slider—to get Venezuela out of the sixth with its 1-0 lead intact.

“He did great,” Padres manager Andy Green told the San Diego Union-Tribune. “I think the whole organization’s excited.

“I passed (Padres roving pitching instructor) Gorman Heimueller in the hallway, and he was raving about that opportunity for a young guy to be on that stage, face those kind of hitters and do so well.”

All told, Castillo—a fastball-slider lefty acquired in the three-team deal that netted Wil Myers from the Rays two years ago—allowed two earned runs on four hits and a walk while striking out five over 3.2 innings.

Now Castillo, who turned pro with Tampa Bay in 2012, is set to open the season at high Class A Lake Elsinore, where he hopes to take his star turn at the WBC forward.

FATHER FIGURES

• The Padres’ unprecedented dip into the international amateur market has left the farm system so overpopulated that the organization will field two teams in the Rookie-level Arizona League this summer. Michael Collins and Shaun Cole will manage the two squads.

• Of all the non-roster players in big league camp, righthander Phil Maton made the biggest impression. The 23-year-old reliever went 0-1, 2.61 in a team-high 11 appearances with 12 strikeouts in 10.1 innings. The 20th-round pick in 2015 will begin the season at Triple-A El Paso.

— Jeff Sanders covers the Padres for the San Diego Union Tribune