Detroit Tigers: 3 pitchers to watch during 2020 shortened season

Right-handed pitcher Anthony Castro is looking to finally breakthrough into the big leagues for the Detroit Tigers, 2020 could be his chance.

Way back in 2011, the Detroit Tigers would sign a right-handed arm out of Venezuela, nine years later he is still looking to work his way into the big leagues. Now twenty-five years old, Castro has spent seven seasons across the minor leagues in the Tigers organization.

Castro has had a bumpy road on his “Road to Detroit” having to undergo Tommy John Surgery causing him to miss time in 2015. He would finally get out of rookie ball in 2017 when he advanced to the Single-A West Michigan Whitecaps.

Coming into the 2020 season, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic that forced a stoppage, Castro was slated to be stationed at the Triple-A level with the Toledo Mud Hens. He was added to the 60-man Player Pool and is a part of the 40-man roster.

Keep an eye on Castro as he looks to make a splash in the big leagues as a back end starter for the time being. Castro was known as a flamethrower coming up, now working a three-pitch mix with an upper-90s fastball, working a mid-80s change-up, alongside a slurve type breaking ball.

In 2019, Castro pitched in 102.1 innings pitched at the Double-A Erie Seawolves level where he had a 5-3 record with a 4.40 ERA, a 1.37 WHIP, and 116 punch outs on the year. Castro should have the opportunity to work himself into some games for the Tigers.

Keep an eye out for Castro, who after seven seasons in the minors is looking to break into the big leagues and get his foot in the door for the future of the Detroit Tigers.