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Welington Castillo is an elite offensive catcher

By Christopher Gaine
May 17, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Welington Castillo (7) and Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Brad Ziegler (29) hug after defeating the New York Yankees at Chase Field. The Diamondbacks won 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
May 17, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Welington Castillo (7) and Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Brad Ziegler (29) hug after defeating the New York Yankees at Chase Field. The Diamondbacks won 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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On June 3 of last year, the Diamondbacks traded perinnial dissapointment Mark Trumbo to the Mariners for a journeyman catcher by the name of Welington Castillo.

Trumbo did well in 96 games with the Mariners, belting 13 home runs and 41 RBI. But what Castillo has done with the Diamondbacks has been nothing short of special.

Since the trade, Castillo is batting ..267/.322/.501 with 24 home runs and 70 RBI in 113 games. He has not simpily become a solid player, but one of the best offensive catchers in the league. After hitting 17 home runs in 80 games last season, “Beefmode” is currently third among catchers in batting average, first in home runs, third in RBI and fifth in on-base percentage. It’s rare to see a catcher put up numbers like this. And the fact that he has done this consistently over a calendar year indicates he is an elite catcher.

Castillo is also fourth amongst catchers in wRC+. Whether you go by traditional or new-aged-metrics, there’s hardly a category where Castillo isn’t currently in the top five.

And he’s not just doing well on offense. Castillo’s 2.4 defensive fWAR is amongst the top ten in the league. This kind of production is something special, and it’s time that the rest of the league takes note. Castillo belongs in the conversation for best all-around catcher in the league. 

If Castillo can keep this up into his contract year next season, he’s going to make a boatload of money. Not bad for a guy who had a .256/.324/.400 slash coming into last season.

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