Today, we take a look at promising prospect Rusney Castillo and where he is at right now.
For those who don’t know Castillo, who the Boston Red Sox signed on Aug. 23, 2014, the Red to a seven-year, $72.5 million contract, he is the Pawtucket Red Sox center fielder.
Castillo, who sported the No. 38 he wore in Cuba, made his debut with the Red Sox less than a month later and finished 2014 batting .333 with two home runs and six runs batted in over 10 games.
After a hot start in Triple-A the following season, Castillo (.327) was called up to as the Red Sox optioned then-struggling Jackie Bradley Jr. (0 for 11) to the minors.
The right-handed hitter, who was rated the No. 21 prospect in baseball and the Red Sox third best youngster (Baseball America), just didn’t live up to the hype.
In 80 games with the MLB club, he hit .253 and fanned 54 times while only drawing 13 walks. He hit five home runs and drove in 29 runs.
The following season, the Cuban defector was placed on waivers and was sent back to Triple-A, where he’s remained ever since.
Castillo, who has battled through a groin strain that sidelined him from June 22 to July 14, has had a terrific season in the Red Sox farm system in 2017. He’s batting .314 with a .350 on-base percentage, .507 slugging percentage, .857 OPS and has 15 homers, 22 doubles and 43 RBIs in 87 games.
This leaves one looming question. Will the Red Sox give Castillo another crack?
