Former Chicago Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro signs with pro team |
Starlin Castro, a former Chicago Cubs shortstop, has signed with the Frederick Atlantic League team, according to a release from the team.
The move represents a new opportunity for Castro, who has not played in the majors since his release from the Washington Nationals in the summer of 2021, following a 30-game suspension under MLB's domestic violence policy. Castro, 33, played in Mexico last year, but struggled to find his form, posting a .240/.312/.323 slash line in 28 games for los Leones de Yucatan. He also had a difficult stint in the Dominican Winter League, where he batted just .219/.250/.250 in 39 games. During his MLB career, he batted .280/.319/.412 batting line with 133 home runs and 636 RBIs. Across his career, he was selected to four MLB All-Star teams, in 2017, 2014, 2012, and 2011. For Frederick, the signing of Castro represents an opportunity to add a veteran presence to their lineup and potentially bolster their chances of competing for a championship. In their release, the team's manager expressed excitement about the move, saying it "speaks volumes" about what the city and league can offer. "We are excited to add Starlin to our Frederick lineup in the coming weeks," said manager Mark Minicozzi. "The fact that a four-time MLB All-Star chose to continue his playing career with our Frederick Atlantic League team speaks volumes of what the Spire City and Atlantic League have to offer in attracting MLB caliber talent." “In addition to his impressive track record on the field, Starlin brings Major League Baseball experience to the Frederick ALPB team,” said Greg Baroni, CEO and Managing Partner, Attain Sports and Entertainment. “Given our current roster plus the addition of Starlin, we’re anticipating a strong season in Frederick. I’m looking forward to watching some great baseball alongside our fans as we debut our new ALPB team with top quality players.” For Castro, the move to the Atlantic League represents a chance to demonstrate that he can still perform at a high level and potentially earn another shot closer to the big leagues. The league, which is not affiliated with MLB, serves as a platform for players to showcase their skills and potentially catch the attention of scouts and executives.
