The Pittsburgh Pirates have promoted left-handed pitcher Orlando Castro to Altoona. Castro is expected to make the start tonight for the Curve. He had some good numbers this year in Bradenton, with a 3.24 ERA in 89 innings, along with a 66:10 K/BB ratio. Those numbers are a bit inflated due to a pair of starts in early June where he gave up 12 earned runs in 8.1 innings. Since then, Castro has given up one run in 19 innings, with a 13:0 K/BB ratio.
Double-A will be a good test for the lefty. He can hit 92 MPH with his fastball, and has good control with good off-speed stuff. That type of pitcher usually can dominate in A-ball, but has trouble against Double-A hitters who are more familiar with good off-speed stuff and good control. Castro has a chance to make it beyond Double-A, and possibly to the majors, but he’s not as guaranteed as his numbers would indicate. His upside seems more likely to be a strong reliever out of the bullpen, rather than a starter. That could change, depending on his performance in Altoona.
