Diego Alejandro Castillo (born October 28, 1997) is a Venezuelan professional baseball infielder in the New York Mets organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Minnesota Twins.
Career
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees signed Castillo as an international free agent in December 2014. He received a $750,000 signing bonus. He debuted professionally in the Dominican Summer League in 2015, then in the United States in the Gulf Coast League in 2016. He steadily advanced through the Yankees farm system, beginning the 2021 season with the Double-A Somerset Patriots.
Pittsburgh Pirates
On July 26, 2021, the Yankees traded Castillo along with Hoy Park to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Clay Holmes. Castillo slashed .278/.355/.487 with 19 home runs, 55 runs batted in (RBIs), and nine stolen bases in 105 games split between the Double-A Altoona Curve, Triple-A Indianapolis Indians and Somerset. The Pirates added Castillo to their 40-man roster after the 2021 season.
On April 4, 2022, it was announced that Castillo had made the Pirates’ Opening Day roster. On April 9, Castillo collected his first career hit, lacing a pinch-hit double off of St. Louis Cardinals reliever T. J. McFarland. He played in 96 games in his rookie campaign, hitting .206/.251/.382 with 11 home runs and 29 RBIs. He was designated for assignment on December 20, 2022.
Arizona Diamondbacks
On December 23, 2022, Castillo was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks for pitcher Scott Randall. Castillo was optioned to the Triple-A Reno Aces to begin the 2023 season. He appeared in one game for Arizona. He spent almost the entire season in Reno, hitting .313/.431/.410 with 3 home runs, 72 RBI, and 13 stolen bases across 124 games. The Diamondbacks designated Castillo for assignment on December 22.
Baltimore Orioles
On January 5, 2024, the New York Mets claimed Castillo off waivers. One week later, the Mets designated him for assignment after signing of Sean Manaea. On January 19, Castillo was again claimed off waivers, this time by the New York Yankees, who then designated him for assignment on January 29. The Philadelphia Phillies then claimed him on February 5 but designated him for assignment on February 14. On February 16, Castillo was again claimed off waivers, this time by the Baltimore Orioles, who designated him for assignment two days later. He cleared waivers after being placed on waivers five times in the offseason and was sent outright to the Triple-A Norfolk Tides on February 20. In three games for Norfolk, Castillo went 4-for-13 (.308) with no home runs, no RBI, and three walks.
Minnesota Twins
On April 5, 2024, Castillo was traded to the Minnesota Twins for cash. In 71 games for the Triple-A St. Paul Saints, he batted .272/.379/.404 with five home runs, 30 RBI, and seven stolen bases. On July 14, the Twins selected Castillo's contract, adding him to their major league roster. In four games for Minnesota, he went 2-for-6 (.333) with two RBI. Castillo was designated for assignment by the Twins on July 24. He cleared waivers and was sent outright to St. Paul on July 26. Castillo elected free agency on October 1.
New York Mets
On March 13, 2025, Castillo signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets.