Welington Castillo, a professional baseball catcher, spent nearly a decade in Major League Baseball (MLB), where he played for several teams and demonstrated his skills behind the plate. Born on April 24, 1987, in San Isidro, Dominican Republic, Castillo began his journey to the major leagues when he signed with the Chicago Cubs as an amateur free agent in 2004. His early years in the minor leagues were marked by steady progress, and he eventually made his MLB debut with the Cubs on August 11, 2010.
During his time with the Cubs, Castillo gradually earned more playing time, showcasing his defensive abilities and a strong throwing arm. By 2013, he had become the team's primary catcher, a role he maintained through the 2014 season. Castillo's tenure with the Cubs was characterized by his solid defensive work and occasional power at the plate, hitting a career-high 13 home runs in 2014.
In 2015, Castillo's journey took a new turn when he was traded to the Seattle Mariners as part of a multi-player deal. His time in Seattle was brief, as he was traded again that same year to the Arizona Diamondbacks. With the Diamondbacks, Castillo found a more stable role and continued to contribute both offensively and defensively. In 2016, he hit 14 home runs and drove in 68 runs, providing a reliable presence in the lineup.
Castillo's career saw another change in 2017 when he signed with the Baltimore Orioles. During his single season with the Orioles, he posted a .282 batting average and hit 20 home runs, one of his best offensive seasons. His performance earned him a Silver Slugger Award, recognizing him as one of the top offensive catchers in the league.
Following his successful stint in Baltimore, Castillo signed a two-year contract with the Chicago White Sox in December 2017. His time with the White Sox, however, was marred by a suspension in 2018 for violating Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. Despite this setback, Castillo returned to the field and continued to play through the 2019 season.
Throughout his MLB career, Castillo was known for his defensive skills, particularly his ability to manage pitching staffs and control the running game with his strong arm. Offensively, he provided occasional power, with several seasons of double-digit home runs. His career statistics include a .254 batting average, 98 home runs, and 339 runs batted in over 726 games.
⚾