Billy Eppler and the Angels’ front office have been extremely active this winter chasing the top starting pitchers, acquiring Anthony Rendon, and ultimately improving their starting rotation with Dylan Bundy and Julio Teheran. However, the Angels also missed out on the top free agent catcher, Yasmani Grandal, earlier this winter. On Thursday afternoon, they were able to find their catcher, agreeing to a one-year deal with veteran catcher Jason Castro.
Castro was the Houston Astros’ first-round, 10th overall selection in the 2008 MLB draft out of Stanford. Castro made his MLB debut for Houston in 2010 and since then has caught 777 games across nine seasons with Houston and the Minnesota Twins. Castro has the reputation of being a great pitch-framer and his leadership behind the plate will be valuable to the Angels’ pitching staff. A meniscus tear in his right knee early in the 2018 season limited Castro to less than 100 games combined across the past two seasons. Last season, Castro spent most of the season as the No. 2 catcher in Minnesota behind Mitch Garver. Castro will be joined by Max Stassi or Anthony Bemboom as the other catcher on the current Angels roster.
Jason Castro hit .232 with 13 home runs and 30 runs batted in through the 79 games he played for Minnesota in 2020. Castro is a career .231 hitter with 86 home runs and 12.0 WAR (5.3 dWAR) in 825 MLB games and was named to the 2013 American League All-Star team when playing for Houston. Castro just completed a three-year, $24.5 million contract with Minnesota that he signed prior to the 2017 season. His current one-year contract with the Angels is reported to be $6.85 million.
The Angels have been rumored to be pursuing Willson Contreras and other catchers through a trade this offseason. While the Castro signing currently gives Los Angeles an experienced starting catcher, they may still consider adding another to their roster before Opening Day. The one-year deal for Castro also will not limit the club in pursuing upcoming free agent catchers such as J.T. Realmuto, who is a free agent following the 2020 season.
Angels This Week
Former Angels top prospect and first-round draft pick in 2006, Hank Conger, accepted a coaching job for the Korean Baseball Organization’s Lotte Giants. The Korean-American Conger played 373 MLB games after making his debut for the Angels in 2010. Conger was eventually traded by the Angels to Houston in exchange for pitcher Nick Tropeano and catcher Carlos Perez. Conger last played for Arizona organization at Triple-A level in 2017 at if his playing career is over he finishes his career hitting .221 with 31 career home runs.
Kole Calhoun landed a guaranteed two-year contract with his hometown Arizona Diamondbacks with an option that could lead to three years with the club. Calhoun completed the final season with the Angels hitting a career-high 33 home runs and a finalist again for the Gold Glove in right field. Calhoun will provide valuable depth to D-backs’ outfield already featuring David Peralta and Ketel Marte.
Angels minor-league hitting prospect Jose Rojas will be invited to spring training as a minor-league invite in February. Rojas was left off the Angels’ 40-man roster going into the off-season but was not selected by another club in December’s Rule 5 draft. Rojas was shredding Pacific Coast League pitching with a .293 average, 39 doubles, 31 home runs, and a Triple-A-leading 297 total bases and 107 RBI last season.
Angels Down on the Farm Report
Top 10 Future Angels Report
Every quarter I provide an updated ranking of my Top 10 future Angels prospects. This list is limited to players who have not spent an extended period of time on MLB rosters. Here is my ranking for the first quarter of 2020.
1. Jo Adell, outfield
2. Brandon Marsh, outfield
3. Jordyn Adams, outfield
4. Jeremiah Jackson, shortstop
5. Jahmai Jones, second base
6. Jose Soriano, pitcher
7. Aaron Hernandez, pitcher
8. Hector Yan, pitcher
9. Stiward Aquino, pitcher
10. D’Shawn Knowles, outfield
My Future Angels Top 10 (Q1 – 1/1/2020)
1. Jo Adell
2. Brandon Marsh
3. Jordyn Adams
4. Jeremiah Jackson
5. Jahmai Jones
6. Jose Soriano
7. Aaron Hernandez
8. Hector Yan
9. Stiward Aquino
10. D’Shawn Knowles pic.twitter.com/XIGKauns8o— Halo Life ⚾ (@_HaloLife) January 2, 2020
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