Juan Castro

Infobox MLB player
name = Juan Castro

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width = 300
caption =
team = Baltimore Orioles
number = 2
position = Infielder
birthdate = birth date and age|1972|6|20
birthplace = Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico
bats = Right
throws = Right
debutdate = September 2
debutyear = 1995
debutteam = Los Angeles Dodgers
statyear = 2008
stat1label = Batting average
stat1value = .228
stat2label = Home runs
stat2value = 35
stat3label = Runs batted in
stat3value = 211
teams =
*Los Angeles Dodgers (by|1995-by|1999)
*Cincinnati Reds (by|2000-by|2004)
*Minnesota Twins (by|2005-by|2006)
*Cincinnati Reds (by|2006-by|2008)
*Baltimore Orioles (by|2008-present)

Juan Gabriel Castro (born June 20, 1972 in Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico) is a infielder who plays for the Baltimore Orioles. Castro bats and throws right-handed.

Castro is a 1990 graduate of CBTIS 43 High School in Los Mochis. He has three children with his wife Yadira (née Delgado).

Castro made his Major League debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers on September 2, by|1995. Playing for the Dodgers was especially meaningful for Castro, as he idolized fellow Mexican and former Dodgers pitching ace Fernando Valenzuela as a child. Castro played for the Dodgers through the by|1999 season, and for the Cincinnati Reds from by|2000 to by|2004.

In by|2005, Castro was signed by the Minnesota Twins as a backup to rookie shortstop Jason Bartlett. Bartlett showed promise early in the season, but began to slump at the plate and was sent down to the minor leagues.

On June 15, by|2006, he was traded back to the Cincinnati Reds for minor league outfielder Brandon Roberts. On April 21, by|2008, Castro was designated for assignment by the Reds. On May 2, by|2008, Castro became a free agent. After spending some time playing for the Colorado Rockies' Triple-A affiliate, the Colorado Springs Sky Sox, he was traded to the Baltimore Orioles on July 19, and was immediately added to the major league roster. Castro started more games at shortstop than any other player in 2008 for the Baltimore Orioles.

Known as Manos de Oro "Golden Hands" because of his defensive specialty coming up in the bigs.

External links