Just how good is Simon Castro?

[18 and 1]

Of all the lower level pitching prospects, the one that gets the San Diego Padres development staff the most excited is Simon Castro, 21, the big right-hander out of the Dominican Republic. Word of caution, he is 22 and has never pitched above Low A Ball. As one person told me previously, the difference between Low A and AA is huge.

2009
Castro threw a seven-inning no-hitter on August 18, 2009 versus Dayton – the first in Fort Wayne franchise history.

Simon Castro went 10-6 with a 3.33 ERA across 28 games, including 27 starts with the Fort Wayne TinCaps. In 140.1 innings, he allowed 118 hits, walked 37 and struck out 157. He held the opposition to a .228 average. The opposition stole 14 bases off him in 22 attempts. He allowed nine homers, hit 10 batters, tossed 15 wild pitches, and induced three double play grounders. The opposition hit .263 off him in 118 at-bats with runners in scoring position. Castro led the Midwest League in strikeouts and was fifth in ERA. Castro was 10th in the entire minor leagues in strikeouts and eighth in strikeouts per nine innings pitched.

[cardinal1975]

His ceiling is probably a #2 SP but he should likely be a very good bet to be a solid #3 SP with good k rates. He should srat to move more quickly this coming year and should see the majors by mid-2011 if he stays healthy.