Cuban outfielder Rusney Castillo signs with Jay Z’s Roc Nation
By Dan Zinski
Outfielder Rusney Castillo defected from Cuba earlier this year and has been declared a free agent by major league baseball. Castillo reportedly has already gotten a great headstart on his career in MLB by signing up with Jay Z’s Roc Nation.
More from MLB
- Shohei Ohtani trade rumors live tracker: Every update so far
- MLB Rumors: Yankees mistake, Cardinals trade package, Cubs choice
- Inside the Clubhouse: What I’m hearing ahead of the MLB Trade Deadline
- After frantic trade day, Kiké Hernandez grateful for second chance with Dodgers
- Braves Rumors: 3 trade targets Vaughn Grissom can help Atlanta acquire
The next step for Castillo is to hold a showcase workout for major league clubs. Ben Badler says he expects that workout to happen soon, either in the United States or Dominican Republic.
The right-hand-hitting Castillo played at the highest level in Cuba for several years, his best season coming in 2011-12 when he hit .332/.395/.545 in 420 plate appearances with 16 home runs. He obviously has a little pop despite being only 5-9, but the attribute that has teams really excited is his speed. Castillo was 22-for-29 in steals in 2011-12, and the year before he led his league with 29 steals in 35 attempts.
In 2011 he made the World Cup all-tournament team by hitting .512 in 10 games with two homers, two triples and four doubles.
Scouts don’t expect Castillo to have great immediate impact, but he definitely is a talent to watch. Castillo joins Robinson Cano and CC Sabathia on Roc Nation’s roster of baseball players.
Like FanSided on Facebook.
Follow Dan Zinski on Twitter
Subscribe to the Fansided Daily Newsletter. Sports news all up in your inbox.