Kervin Castro Could Be Next Addition to Yankees Bullpen

The New York Yankees undoubtedly have a strong roster, but even so, every roster has its weakness, and this team’s weakness is its bullpen. It’s a set of relievers that has been thrown together sort of haphazardly: a mix of solid veterans that includes David Bednar, Tim Hill, and Camilo Doval, though two of them were acquired less than a year ago. The rest of New York’s pen includes young, fringe major leaguers.

It’s also a bullpen that, according to manager Aaron Boone, has at least two spots that are “up for grabs.” This means that this spring has been a showcase, and if there’s one Yankees reliever that has stood out above the rest, it is Kervin Castro.

Kervin Castro Making a Case for Yankees Bullpen Spot This Spring

Two Spots “Open”

Castro, 27, isn’t facing too much competition, with the Yankees opting to find back-end options for their bullpen through their own system rather than acquiring or retaining one. Still, his numbers in 8 ⅓ spring innings have been exceptional. In exhibition play so far, he hasn’t allowed a single earned run, and he has five strikeouts to just two walks. If the Yankees were to go off numbers alone, Castro would already have a spot on their active roster; in 35 appearances for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre last season, Castro had a 1.53 ERA over 47 innings, surrendering 22 walks but just one home run.

Added to the 40-man roster in November, the right-hander has built on that success in camp, becoming a versatile bullpen choice for a team that desperately needs it. According to MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch, Boone has talked about how Castro has “grabbed his attention,” and it makes sense based on how ridiculous his numbers have been this spring. In particular, he’s been able to cut down on walks while maintaining a low ERA and few other baserunners; plus, considering the 47 innings he pitched in Triple-A last year, he could be a useful long reliever for New York throughout the entire season.