Rank History
| Year | Team | Position | Team Rank | OFP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | MIL | RHP | 13 | 40 |
Grades Update: Jan 2021
| OFP | Role | FB | CB | SPL | Cnt/Cmd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 | 40 | 55 | 45 | 60 | 50/45 |
Jan 2021 Report
Evaluator: Russ Peters
Age: 22 yr
Height: 6-1
Weight: 185 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2017 IFA
RuleV: 2021
Physical Description: Stocky and thick, specifically in the bottom half. Definitely closer to 210 lbs. than the 185 he is listed at. Slightly low waisted. Solid pitcher's build.
Delivery & Mechanics: 3/4 arm slot, works fairly quickly. Uses a pretty low effort and repeatable delivery with good balance. Hides the ball well to create some deception during wind up and delivery.
Fastball: Pitch was average when it was working 91-94 with armside run. Reports from instructs have Castaneda pumping 95-96. If the velo sticks this can be a plus pitch. The fastball, when combined with the splitter discussed below, has a history of keeping hitters off balance. Added velocity will make splitter/fastball combo even more devastating. Grade: 55
Curveball: Thrown at 77-79. Used mostly as a get me over or show me pitch, sometimes for strike one. Appears that hitters have an easy time spotting the spin out of his hand and either lay off or square it up. Often flat with little break and more of a slider shape with a bit more velocity (low 80's). Neither of these pitches are above fringe level at this point. Will need an improvement in breaking pitches in order to have a chance at a spot in the rotation. Grade: 45
Splitter: Castaneda's nastiest pitch. Drops off the table when it gets to the plate. Used as a put away pitch but he is not afraid to throw it in just about any count. Actually controls splitter better than fastball. Delivery is very similar to the fastball which keeps hitters guessing, especially with the added velo noted above. This pitch could already give Major League hitters trouble. Grade: 60
Control and Command: Command has been an issue in the past. It appears that progress has been made in this area when looking at appearances from the 2019 Arizona Fall League and hearing reports from the 2020 fall instructional league. If this continues Castaneda will be working with average control and fringe average command. Control: 50 | Command: 45
Overall: Assuming the added velo and command were not an aberration, Castaneda has made significant progress towards making the big leagues sometime during the 2021 season where he profiles best as a power arm out of the bullpen who can pile up the strike outs. Used as a reliever and closer during the 2019 regular season and as a starter in the Arizona Fall League. Becoming a successful back of the rotation starter is not out of the question. If he proves himself out of the pen when he is called up, however, there is a good chance he is destined for late inning work in close games. 2021 is a big year where Castaneda can prove that these improvements are legit and sustainable.
OFP: 40
Role: 40 - Low Leverage Reliever
Risk: Moderate
