Name: Adrian Del Castillo
School: University of Miami Hurricanes
Position: Catcher
Height/Weight: 5’-11” 210-lbs
B/T: L/R
D.O.B: 9/27/1999
Previously Drafted: Chicago White Sox, 2018 – 36th Round
Scouting Report
The White Sox liked Adrian Del Castillo’s bat enough to take him in the 36th round of the 2018 draft out of Gulliver Prep High School in Pinecrest, Florida. As expected, Castillo opted for the University of Miami Hurricanes, where he put up some impressive early numbers.
As a freshman in 2019, he smacked 12 home runs in 282 at-bats and posted an OPS of .995. Due to the pandemic, he played less frequently in subsequent seasons. In 2021, his OPS dipped to .799 with three home runs in 190 at-bats. Often a good barometer of pro success, he got to the plate 138 times in the wooden bat Cape Cod League in 2019. There, he smashed five home runs with an OPS of .731.
Del Castillo is known for his pretty, left-handed swing and willingness to take walks while maintaining a low strikeout rate. His profile resembles similarly to White Sox catcher Zack Collins.
In Del Castillo’s last season for the Hurricanes, he walked 25 times and struck out 28. In 2019, which was his best offensive season collegiately, he drew 32 bases on balls against 24 strikeouts.
There are the usual questions about his ability to stick behind the plate. He possesses a strong and accurate arm but has not demonstrated quality receiving skills. A switch to the outfield is a possibility. However, his bat makes him a first-round candidate.
Here’s a look at Adrian Del Castillo participating in both hitting and fielding drills with a little game action mixed in.
Scouting Grades
Hit: 60
Run: 30
Field: 45
Power: 50
Arm: 50
Overall: 50
Prospect Overview and Future Outlook
Del Castillo’s left-handed swing and high walk rate, combined with his early power numbers, have made him an attractive prospect. However, since 2019 his power numbers have dipped, and his draft status along with them.
Some of this could be attributed to the long layoff due to COVID, but there is no clear answer. His middling performance in the Cape Code League and lack of clear defensive position are also contributing factors to his drop-off. Still, there’s enough potential with the bat for a team to take him in the latter part of the first round.
Mock Drafts
Del Castillo’s draft stratus has dropped precipitously since the early part of the year. Once projected to go as high as number two, he’s fallen to the 20-30 range. Bleacher Report has him going to the White Sox at number 22, and our own James Fox sends him to Oakland with the 25th pick. The most recent mock on MLB.com and some others have him falling outside of the first round.
Potential Fit with the White Sox
A quick scan of the FutureSox Preseason Top 30 nets no catching prospects. Dig a little deeper, and you’ll find several of them on the Just Missed list.
Younger players like Jefferson Mendoza, Tyler Osik and Victor Torres have some promise. But none of them are playing above Low-A Kannapolis. Seby Zavala and Carlos Perez are playing at higher levels and could fill a backup role. Given that profile, there is a need to inject some catching talent into the system.
However, many scouts have doubts about Del Castillo’s ability to stay at catcher. The system has plenty of solid outfield prospects, but adding another left-handed bat with power potential is attractive to any team. And don’t’ forget: the White Sox already liked him enough to draft him three years ago.
Photo Credit: Anders Johanson/FutureSox
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