Settled In: After a rough first month, Castro has become an ace in the River Cats’ bullpen

Sometimes it takes a few weeks of struggles to find out what you have in a prospect. Do they sink, or do they swim?

Right-hander Kervin Castro, San Francisco’s No. 25 prospect on MLB Pipeline, was battle-tested early on, and fortunately was up for the challenge.

Despite just 89.2 career MiLB innings entering 2021, and early season struggles in his first taste of Triple-A, Castro has become a versatile, often multi-inning relief ace for the River Cats’ pitching staff.

“The beginning of the season was a little bit tough,” Castro said. “I had a really big jump from Low-A to here. I was a little anxious the first couple games trying to do everything right.”

Castro scuffled the first month with the River Cats, sporting a 7.20 ERA in his first 10 games and 10.0 innings. Yet, since June 6, the 22-year-old has dominated with a 1.20 ERA, 18 strikeouts, and a 0.87 WHIP over 15.0 innings. In that span, Castro had a 14.2 scoreless inning streak, and recorded his first career save.

Thanks to River Cats pitching coach Garvin Alston and the veteran bullpen, Castro has received plenty of help, especially from fellow Venezuelan, teammate Silvino Bracho. Bracho has been a useful asset to Castro, giving him advice on how games work in the upper minors.

“He’s been working with a couple teammates, especially me,” Bracho said during the Q&A. “I’ve been helping him with advice, playing catch, and giving some tips on how the games work at this level. He’s been working really hard, and that’s paying off. Right now he’s doing great.”

One important lesson that Bracho has helped Castro with is how to bounce back after a tough outing.

“I am giving him advice for when he has those bad days,” Bracho said. “Baseball players always have bad days. I try to tell him to keep his head up. Tomorrow’s another day...You’re going to get an opportunity to be out there again. You’re going to get success because you work hard.”

The 22-year-old wastes no time on the mound. Thanks to his history as a starter in the lower minors, he loves to pitch quickly, rarely testing the pitch clock.

He cited how it’s good to get the ball and fire because it not only keeps the hitters uncomfortable by throwing before they are ready, but it “keeps the game fast and keeps my teammates active in the infield and outfield.”

Castro, a converted catcher, has the added benefit of being able to think like a pitcher and a hitter on the mound.

He lists three Venezuelan icons he idolized growing up: two-time MLB All Star backstop Wilson Ramos, two-time MVP Miguel Cabrera, and Cy Young-winner Félix Hernández.

Ramos was a heavy influence, but he noted Hernández’s aggressiveness as something he tries to emulate.

Castro’s mentality, velocity, tempo, and production have opened a lot of eyes this last calendar year, not only earning a 40-man roster spot this offseason, but potentially a shot at his first MLB call-up somewhere down the line.

“I’ve been working so hard and trying to enjoy the moment here,” Castro said. “If I get that opportunity, I want to be ready. I want to show them I am ready to be there…I am grateful for the opportunity the team has given me.”