Luis Castillo was named the Seattle Mariners Opening Day starter on Monday morning by manager Scott Servais. The three-time All-Star will start opposite of the Boston Red Sox. Boston manager Alex Cora hasn’t yet informed Brayan Bello, who signed a six-year, $55 million extension or Nick Pivetta, who could be making his first Opening Day start. That decision on the Red Sox starter should come no later than Tuesday.
In three Opening Day starts, Castillo is 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA, 14 strikeouts, five walks, one home run and a 1.07 WHIP.
Luis Castillo last season became the first pitcher in franchise history to toss 6.0+ scoreless innings while allowing 1-or-fewer hits on Opening Day. https://t.co/G96yUDGh5o
— Mariners PR (@MarinersPR) March 18, 2024
Luis Castillo Named Mariners Opening Day Starter
Castillo will be making his second straight Opening Day start with Seattle, and the fourth of his career, going back to his six seasons with the Cincinnati Reds. It was no surprise that Castillo was the ideal choice this spring, especially with a loaded rotation. Last season, Castillo had three specific goals, accomplishing the two before a dismal September.
“He is maybe setting the bar a little bit higher for himself than he has in the past,” Servais said. “You know who’s the beneficiary of that?” The Mariners, because he’s really good, and if he’s even better, good for us.”
Encouraged by Early Velocity
Long before he got the tab for Opening Day, Castillo was encouraged that his fastball was hitting up to 96 mph early in camp. “It’s telling me that I’m healthy,” the 31-year-old told Daniel Kramer of MLB.com. “We’re going to continue to be in the same routine, and hopefully that velocity will keep going up.”
Castillo opened spring training a year ago with his four-seamer hitting the high 80s, so this is a notable increase in velocity. He will continue to use his fastball in 2024, considering hitters were hitting .165 and slugging .383 against it.
2024 Projections for Castillo
FanGraphs ZiPS projections gave insight into Castillo’s season. The popular tool projects the former Red to go 12-8 with a 3.27 and 3.9 fWAR. What’s significant about the stats is that his ERA would be the lowest by any qualified starting pitcher in the league. It would put him on track to the ERA crown, removing Castillo from his sub-4.00 ERA in six of his seven seasons. In the last two seasons, the Dominican native is 22-15 with a 3.19 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and a 4.3 fWAR. If all comes together for Castillo, he might have a chance to put his name into the American League Cy Young Award race.
Main Photo: © Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
