Luis Castillo named as Mariners’ lone representative for upcoming All-Star Game at T-Mobile Park
Unlike the 2001 All-Star Game, the last time Seattle was the host for Major League Baseball’s midsummer celebration, the Mariners won’t have eight players representing the organization this time around.
As of now, the only Mariners player that will have his named called on that Tuesday evening at T-Mobile Park will be Luis Castillo.
The right-handed pitcher was notified of his selection for the American League All-Star team before starting against the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday. It’s his third All-Star selection, earning the honor twice with the Reds in 2019 and again last season before being traded to the Mariners 10 days after the event in Los Angeles.
The official announcement of the teams went public a few hours later on a special telecast of Baseball Tonight on ESPN while Castillo was still pitching.
After a shaky start and minimal defensive help, Castillo pitched six innings, allowing six runs (five earned) on eight hits with no walks and six strikeouts in the Mariners’ 7-6 comeback victory.
“First of all I want to thank God for having this opportunity, my third All-Star,” Castillo said through interpreter Freddy Castillo, “That is kind of a testament to the work we’ve been putting in. Every year, I like to set goals and, luckily for us, we’re able to complete this one.”
Advertising
He will join Mariners manager Scott Servais, who was chosen to be on the coaching staff by Astros manager Dusty Baker, and head athletic trainer Kyle Torgerson, who was also selected to be on the American League staff.
Castillo, 30, came into Sunday’s outing with a 5-6 record and 2.86 earned-run average in 16 starts. In 94 1/3 innings, he struck out 108 batters with 28 walks. Castillo has 14 starts in which he’s allowed three earned runs or fewer, including five without allowing a run.
He has eight quality starts of six-plus innings and three runs or fewer allowed. He has a 4-2 record in those eight quality starts. Per FanGraphs, he has a 1.7 Wins Above Replacement and a 1.0 WAR on Baseball Reference.
“He has been The Rock,” Servais said, referencing Castillo’s nickname. “I said it to our team today. Since we have acquired him, he has been solid, he takes the ball, he has not missed a turn, and when he takes the mound you know you’re gonna get six or seven innings out of him.”
Coming into the season, Castillo said his personal goals were being named the Mariners’ opening-day starter, earning a spot on the All-Star team and winning the American League Cy Young Award. He accomplished the first two, but winning the award for the AL’s best pitcher might be difficult.
While they obviously didn’t expect to have eight selections like the 2001 team that would go on win an MLB-record 116 games, there was something more than hope, perhaps expectation, that the Mariners would be rolling into the All-Star break in the thick of a division-title race and with multiple representatives to showcase a franchise building toward sustained success.
Advertising
Yeah, that didn’t happen.
Given the offensive struggles from marquee players like Julio Rodriguez, the Mariners never generated strong voting interest from the fans for a player to start and they didn’t have the numbers to generate votes from fellow players.
The Mariners could still gain another representative or two in the coming days as replacements for a handful of selected players such as Aaron Judge, Yordan Alvarez and Shane McClanahan, who are currently on the injured list, or players who opt out due to health concerns or starting pitchers who are scheduled to pitch on Sunday and ineligible to participate.
Right-hander George Kirby would have a strong case as a replacement for a starting pitcher on the American League squad. He arguably has better numbers than Castillo in many ways.
“I do think we’ve had a couple of pitchers that are very worthy of it,” Servais said. “I think George has had an outstanding first half. I think Paul Sewald has had a great first half. There are things that happen over the last week; some guys will pull out and hopefully we’ll get a couple more players in there because those two guys, in my mind, are very deserving.”
Kirby, 25, has posted a 7-7 record with a 3.21 ERA in 16 starts. In 101 innings, he’s struck out 86 batters with just nine walks. The nine walks are the fewest among qualified starters in MLB, while his 9.56 strikeout to walk ratio is the best in baseball.
He has delivered 13 quality starts, which is second most in MLB behind only Marcus Stroman (14). But thanks to an inconsistent offense that has plagued them all season, the Mariners have an 8-5 record in those starts and Kirby has a 7-7 record. He has a 2.1 WAR per Baseball Reference, which is eighth highest in the AL, and a 2.3 FanGraphs WAR, which is fifth best among AL starters.
Sewald, 33, earned his 16th save of the season in Sunday’s win, working a 1-2-3 ninth inning with a pair of strikeouts. He picked up a five-out save less than 24 hours earlier. Sewald is 16 of 19 in save opportunities and has 2-0 record with a 2.62 ERA in 35 appearances. In 34 1/3 innings, he’s struck out 47 batters with 11 walks.
American League Roster
Starting lineup
Catcher : Jonah Heim, Rangers
: Jonah Heim, Rangers First base : Yandy Diaz, Rays
: Yandy Diaz, Rays Second base : Marcus Semien, Rangers
: Marcus Semien, Rangers Third base : Josh Jung, Rangers
: Josh Jung, Rangers Shortstop : Corey Seager, Rangers
: Corey Seager, Rangers Outfield : Aaron Judge, Yankees (injured list, will not participate)
: Aaron Judge, Yankees (injured list, will not participate) Outfield : Mike Trout, Angels
: Mike Trout, Angels Outfield : Randy Arozarena, Rays
: Randy Arozarena, Rays Designated hitter: Shohei Ohtani, Angels
Reserves
Catchers : Salvador Perez, Royals; Adley Rutschman, Orioles
: Salvador Perez, Royals; Adley Rutschman, Orioles Infielders : Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays; Whit Merrifield, Blue Jays; Bo Bichette, Blue Jays; José Ramírez, Guardians
: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays; Whit Merrifield, Blue Jays; Bo Bichette, Blue Jays; José Ramírez, Guardians Outfielders : Luis Robert Jr., White Sox; Austin Hays, Orioles; Yordan Alvarez, Astros, Adolis García, Rangers
: Luis Robert Jr., White Sox; Austin Hays, Orioles; Yordan Alvarez, Astros, Adolis García, Rangers Designated hitter : Brent Rooker, Athletics
: Brent Rooker, Athletics
Pitchers
Shohei Ohtani, RHP, Angels
Gerrit Cole, RHP, Yankees
Luis Castillo, RHP, Mariners
Sonny Gray, RHP, Twins
Nathan Eovaldi, RHP, Rangers
Kevin Gausman, RHP, Blue Jays
Shane McClanahan, LHP, Rays (Injured list)
Framber Valdez, LHP, Astros
Michael Lorenzen, RHP, Tigers
Kenley Jansen, RHP, Red Sox
Emmanuel Clase, RHP, Guardians
Félix Bautista, RHP, Orioles
Yennier Cano, RHP, Orioles
National League Roster
Starting lineup
Catcher : Sean Murphy, Braves
: Sean Murphy, Braves First base : Freddie Freeman, Dodgers
: Freddie Freeman, Dodgers Second base : Luis Arraez, Marlins
: Luis Arraez, Marlins Third base : Nolan Arenado, Cardinals
: Nolan Arenado, Cardinals Shortstop : Orlando Arcia, Braves
: Orlando Arcia, Braves Outfield : Ronald Acuña Jr., Braves
: Ronald Acuña Jr., Braves Outfield : Mookie Betts, Dodgers
: Mookie Betts, Dodgers Outfield : Corbin Carroll, Diamondbacks
: Corbin Carroll, Diamondbacks Designated hitter: J.D. Martinez, Dodgers
Reserves
Catchers : Will Smith, Dodgers; Elias Díaz, Rockies
: Will Smith, Dodgers; Elias Díaz, Rockies Infielders : Matt Olson, Braves; Ozzie Albies, Braves; Austin Riley, Braves; Dansby Swanson, Cubs; Pete Alonso, Mets
: Matt Olson, Braves; Ozzie Albies, Braves; Austin Riley, Braves; Dansby Swanson, Cubs; Pete Alonso, Mets Outfielders : Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Diamondbacks; Nick Castellanos, Phillies; Juan Soto, Padres
: Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Diamondbacks; Nick Castellanos, Phillies; Juan Soto, Padres Designated hitter: Jorge Soler, Marlins
Pitchers
Source: The Seattle Times
