Alberto Castillo Betancourt (born July 5, 1975) is a

Cuba Cuba, officially the Republic of Cuba, is an island country, comprising the island of Cuba (largest island), Isla de la Juventud, and List of islands of Cuba, 4,195 islands, islets and cays surrounding the main island. It is located where the ...

n former professional

baseball Baseball is a bat-and-ball games, bat-and-ball sport played between two team sport, teams of nine players each, taking turns batting (baseball), batting and Fielding (baseball), fielding. The game occurs over the course of several Pitch ...

pitcher In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throws ("Pitch (baseball), pitches") the Baseball (ball), baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of out (baseball), retiring a batter (baseball), batter, ...

. He played in

Major League Baseball Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball league composed of 30 teams, divided equally between the National League (baseball), National League (NL) and the American League (AL), with 29 in the United States and 1 in Canada. MLB i ...

for the

Baltimore Orioles The Baltimore Orioles (also known as the O's) are an American professional baseball team based in Baltimore. The Orioles compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East Division. As one of the America ...

and

Arizona Diamondbacks The Arizona Diamondbacks are an American professional baseball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. The Diamondbacks compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West Division. The franchise was established ...

Amateur career

Castillo played for Cuba in the 1993 World Junior Championships in Windsor, Ontario, at which time he defected. After relocating to the United States, he enrolled in

Miami Dade College Miami Dade College (MDC) is a public university, public college located in Miami, Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1959, MDC operates eight campuses and numerous outreach centers throughout Miami-Dade County, Florida, Miami-Dade Count ...

where he played amateur baseball at the junior college level.

Professional career

Giants and Yankees

After being selected by the

San Francisco Giants The San Francisco Giants are an American professional baseball team based in San Francisco. The Giants compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League West, West Div ...

in the third round (88th overall) of the

1994 MLB draft The 1994 Major League Baseball draft took place in June 1994. The draft saw the New York Mets select Paul Wilson first overall. First round selections The following are the first round picks in the 1994 Major League Baseball draft. Supplem ...

, Castillo began his career in the Giants organization as a

first baseman A first baseman, abbreviated 1B, is the player on a baseball or softball team who fields the area nearest first base, the first of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run. The first baseman is responsible for the majori ...

, although he did pitch a few times that season for the Everett Giants. After playing first base exclusively in 1995, he was converted to a full-time pitcher the following year but would briefly return to hitting a few years later and spend a few seasons as a two-way player and even spent another full season as a first baseman. He spent two more seasons in the Giants system, playing for the Bellingham Giants in 1996 and the

San Jose Giants The San Jose Giants are a Minor League Baseball team of the California League and the Single-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants. Located in San Jose, California, the Giants play their home games at Excite Ballpark. Games San Jose Giants g ...

in 1997. That offseason, he was traded by the Giants to the

New York Yankees The New York Yankees are an American professional baseball team based in the Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of the Bronx. The Yankees compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Am ...

in November 1997 as part of a package for Charlie Hayes. Castillo spent just one season, 1998, in the Yankees' farm system, splitting the season between the Greensboro Bats and

Tampa Yankees Tampa ( ) is a city on the Gulf Coast of the U.S. state of Florida. Tampa's borders include the north shore of Tampa Bay and the east shore of Old Tampa Bay. Tampa is the largest city in the Tampa Bay area and the county seat of Hillsborough C ...

. He appeared in 17 games, all as a pitcher, but walked 39 batters in 21 innings for a 9.00 ERA.

Northern League

The Yankees released Castillo in January 1999, and he was signed by the

Chicago White Sox The Chicago White Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The White Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. The club plays its ...

. The White Sox released Castillo during

spring training Spring training, also called spring camp, is the preseason of the Summer Professional Baseball Leagues, such as Major League Baseball (MLB), and it is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spri ...

, and he spent the 1999 season with the

Schaumburg Flyers The Schaumburg Flyers were a professional baseball team based in Schaumburg, Illinois, in the United States. The team played in the Northern League from 1999 to 2010, with their home games at Alexian Field, near the Elgin O'Hare Expressway. T ...

of the independent Northern League. In 1999, Castillo would pick up the bat again and came to the plate 26 times (mostly as a pinch hitter but did play five games at first base) hitting .348/.407/.739. In 2000, Castillo was brought to spring training by the

San Diego Padres The San Diego Padres are an American professional baseball team based in San Diego. The Padres compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League West, West Division. ...

, but they, too, released him, and Castillo returned to the Flyers where he continued to pitch and hit. In 2000, he hit .329/.407/.453, and posted a 4.59 ERA over 17 games started.

Atlantic League

After the 2000 season, Castillo was signed by the

Tampa Bay Rays The Tampa Bay Rays are an American professional baseball team based in the Tampa Bay area. The Rays compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League East, East Division. They are one of two major ...

as a hitter and spent the season with the Single-A

Bakersfield Blaze The Bakersfield Blaze were a minor league baseball team in Bakersfield, California. They played in the California League at the Class A-Advanced level, hosting home games at Sam Lynn Ballpark. Opened in 1941, the stadium is well known for facing ...

, hitting .274/.329/.415 with 11 home runs and 54 RBI while appearing in 82 games at first base. He was released before the beginning of the 2002 season. He returned to the independent leagues, signing with the

Newark Bears The Newark Bears were an American independent league professional baseball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They were a member of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and, later, the Canadian American Association of Professional Bas ...

of the

Atlantic League of Professional Baseball The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB) is a professional independent baseball league in the United States. It is an official MLB Partner League based in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern United States, and the headquarters are l ...

again both pitching and hitting. He would only hit .240 with a measly .277 on base percentage spanning 159 plate appearances marking his last time hitting regularly as a professional. In 2003, he was again invited to spring training by an MLB team, this time the

St. Louis Cardinals The St. Louis Cardinals are an American professional baseball team based in St. Louis. The Cardinals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Centra ...

. Once again, however, he was released before the season began, and he returned to the Bears. In 2004, Castillo found himself without a major league team in the spring for the first time. He started the 2004 season with the

Atlantic City Surf The Atlantic City Surf were a professional minor league baseball team based in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The Surf was most recently a member of the Can-Am League, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. The Surf played its home gam ...

of the Atlantic League, then played for the

Tuneros de San Luis Potosí The Tuneros de San Luis Potosí (English: San Luis Potosí Prickly Pear Pickers) were a professional baseball team in the Mexican League based in San Luis Potosí, Mexico. The club played during 16 seasons spanning 1946–2006. The first Tuneros t ...

of the

Mexican League The Mexican Baseball League (, or LMB, ) is a professional baseball league in Mexico. It is the oldest running professional sports league in the country. The league has 20 teams organized in two divisions, North and South. Teams play 114 games ...

. After missing 2005 due to elbow surgery, Castillo played for the Atlantic League's

Road Warriors The Road Warriors, also known as the Legion of Doom, were a professional wrestling tag team originally composed of Road Warrior Hawk (Michael Hegstrand) and Road Warrior Animal (Joseph Laurinaitis).. They performed under the name "The Road Wa ...

in 2006 and the beginning of 2007. He finished 2007 with the

Camden Riversharks The Camden Riversharks were an United States, American professional baseball team based in Camden, New Jersey, from 2001 to 2015. They were a member of the Liberty Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, then unaffiliated with ...

Baltimore Orioles

Castillo finally returned to affiliated baseball when he was signed to a minor league contract by the

for the 2008 season. He began that season with the Baltimore Orioles' Triple-A affiliate, the

Norfolk Tides The Norfolk Tides are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles. They are located in Norfolk, Virginia, and are named in nautical reference to the city's loc ...

, before making his major league debut on April 28, 2008, in the 13th inning against the

, he faced one batter and picked up the win. He spent the rest of the season with the Orioles, posting a 1–0 record and a 3.81 ERA in 28 relief appearances. Castillo split the 2009 season between the Orioles and Norfolk, and began 2010 with the Tides as well. Castillo was recalled to the majors shortly thereafter, but on June 10, Castillo was designated for assignment to make room on the Orioles' roster for

Jake Arrieta Jacob Joseph Arrieta (born March 6, 1986) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Baltimore Orioles, Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies, and San Diego Padres. Arrieta played college ...

. He was then returned to Norfolk, where he finished the season. He was granted free agency on October 5, 2010. He was re-signed by the Orioles to a minor league contract in December 2010. After starting the season 2–4 with a 1.89 ERA in 20 games for Norfolk, he was granted free agency on June 15, 2011.

Arizona Diamondbacks

On June 18, 2011, the

signed Castillo to a minor league deal. He had his contract purchased on June 28. He appeared in 17 games with a 1–0 record and a 2.31 ERA for the Diamondbacks, and then became a free agent on October 21.

Los Angeles Dodgers

On December 13, 2011, Castillo signed a minor league contract with the

Los Angeles Dodgers The Los Angeles Dodgers are an American professional baseball team based in Los Angeles. The Dodgers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League West, West Div ...

. On March 18, he was released by the Dodgers.

Piratas de Campeche

On April 13, 2012, Castillo signed with the

Piratas de Campeche The Piratas de Campeche (English: Campeche Pirates) are a professional baseball team in the Mexican League (LMB) based in Campeche, Campeche, Mexico. History In 1980, the Alacranes de Durango moved to Campeche, and played their home games at Ven ...

of the

Mexican Baseball League The Mexican Baseball League (, or LMB, ) is a professional baseball league in Mexico. It is the oldest running professional sports league in the country. The league has 20 teams organized in two divisions, North and South. Teams play 114 games ...

. He was released on May 4.

Diablos Rojos del Mexico

On April 4, 2015, Castillo signed with the Diablos Rojos del Mexico of the

. He was released on April 7. He was resigned on May 8.

Guerreros de Oaxaca

On June 4, 2015, Castillo was traded to the

Guerreros de Oaxaca The Guerreros de Oaxaca (English: Oaxaca Warriors) are a professional baseball team in the Mexican League based in Oaxaca City, Oaxaca, Mexico. Their home field is Estadio Eduardo Vasconcelos. History In October 1995, a group of businessmen, ...

. He was released on July 5.

Joplin Blasters

Castillo signed with the Joplin Blasters of the

American Association of Independent Professional Baseball The American Association of Professional Baseball is an independent professional baseball league founded in 2005. It operates in the central United States and Canada, mostly in cities not served by Major League Baseball teams or their minor lea ...

following his release.

References

External links

{{DEFAULTSORT:Castillo, Alberto 1975 births Living people Major League Baseball pitchers Baltimore Orioles players Arizona Diamondbacks players Everett Giants players Burlington Bees players Bellingham Giants players San Jose Giants players Tampa Yankees players Schaumburg Flyers players Greensboro Bats players Bakersfield Blaze players Newark Bears players Atlantic City Surf players Tuneros de San Luis Potosí players Pennsylvania Road Warriors players Camden Riversharks players Norfolk Tides players Reno Aces players Miami Dade Sharks baseball players Major League Baseball players from Cuba Cuban expatriate baseball players in the United States Atlantic League Road Warriors players Piratas de Campeche players Joplin Blasters players Defecting Cuban baseball players Cuban expatriate baseball players in the Dominican Republic Estrellas Orientales players Cañeros de Los Mochis players Cuban expatriate baseball players in Mexico Baseball players from Havana

Amateur career

Professional career

Giants and Yankees

Northern League

Atlantic League

Baltimore Orioles

Arizona Diamondbacks

Los Angeles Dodgers

Piratas de Campeche

Diablos Rojos del Mexico

Guerreros de Oaxaca

Joplin Blasters

See also

References

External links