Another Day, Another Trade: Looking At The Return For Clay Holmes
When you look at the names that were on the trading block for the Pittsburgh Pirates this season there were some names that have been going around. Among them were Adam Frazier, Tyler Anderson, and even Richard Rodriguez. However, one name that hasn't really been discussed at least in the public eye is reliever Clay Holmes. Holmes was released by the Pirates in the off-season but was re-signed on a Minor League deal. It was Holmes's last chance with the Pirates, and he came through making the Opening Day roster. He was putting together a solid season, appearing in 44 games going 3-2 with a 4.93 ERA over 42 innings of work while walking 25 and striking out 44. However, as General Manager, Ben Cherington proved today that even some of the background players aren't safe.
Cherington made his second major trade before the trade deadline when he sent Holmes to the New York Yankees for a pair of prospects. Coming back in the trade for the Pirates are infielders Diego Castillo and Hoy Jun Park. The fact that Cherington got anything for Holmes, considering he almost wasn't a member of this team in 2021, is a huge win for the organization. So far, in two trades so far this season, Cherington has brought in five prospects already, and it is yet to be seen where they will rank on the Pirates Top 30 Prospects list. Today, we take a look at the return for the Pirates as they add two more infield prospects to the organization.
IF Hoy Jun Park
The biggest piece coming back in this trade for the Pirates is infielder Hoy Jun Park. Park is 25-years-old but is absolutely hitting the cover off the ball in Triple-A, and even played one game for the Yankees this season. Combined between Double-A and Triple-A, Park is hitting .307 with 11 home runs, 32 RBI, and an OPS of .981. However, when you look at his Triple-A numbers, he has been the best hitter in the Triple-A East. He leads the league in Batting Average (.327), on-base percentage (.475), and OPS (1.042) this season. Park is slated to be the #14 overall prospect in the Pirates system and may get a shot at the Major League club as early as this season.
On the defensive side of the ball, most of Park's work has come in the middle infield, but he recently started adding to his game by playing outfield this season. Over his six-year Minor League career, Park has played over 2,200 innings at second base and has a fielding percentage of .940. His better defensive position has actually been shortstop, where he has played a thousand fewer innings but has a career .965 fielding percentage. To add to his versatility, the Yankees started to play Park in the outfield this season, and he has had work in both left field and center field. He has decent speed, which allows him to cover a lot of ground, but I see him playing more right field than left at PNC Park if the Pirates decide to keep him in the outfield.
After the trade of Adam Frazier on Sunday, I expect the Pirates to move Park to the MLB, and possibly have him active for tonight's game. With second base open, it is a chance for Park to get some regular MLB playing time, while allowing Rodolfo Castro to continue to develop. Park is 25-years-old and has shown he can handle Triple-A hitting in a short 171 at-bat audition. With the Pirates ushering in younger players, it could be a chance for Park to get his feet wet at the Major League level and prove he can be a part of this team's future. The middle infield is a highly contested area on the field for the Pirates, and Park now has an opportunity to show he can be the guy for the Pirates at second base for the rest of the 2021 season. As the year goes on, Rodolfo Castro could get the call again, creating some competition between the two for the second base job.
IF Diego Castillo
The second piece in this deal is a guy who is having a breakout season in 2021 in Diego Castillo. Before this season, Castillo's highest batting average was .267 and he hit a combined eight home runs. However, after the shutdown in 2020, Castillo has come back and been better than ever down in Double-A. He is hitting .277 with 11 home runs and 32 RBI in 58 games played, all of those numbers are career-highs for the 23-year-old. One of the other positives is that his strikeout numbers are pretty good as he has only gone down 15% of the time while walking just 9.3% of the time. He has a decent eye at the plate, and that has helped him up his numbers this season and see some better pitches to hit.
On the defensive side of the ball, Castillo has spent most of his career as a shortstop but has played other positions around the infield. The problem is, his defensive numbers haven't been very good at a position where defense is king. In just over 2,000 innings played at shortstop, Castillo's career Fielding percentage sits at just .941. As you go around the infield, things don't get much better with his best fielding percentage sitting at .961 at second base. If he wants to stick as a middle infielder, he is going to have to up his defensive game. He has helped turn a career 185 double plays in his career, but if his defense isn't up to snuff, a move to the outfield may become imminent.
Just like he was in the Yankees organization, Castillo will more than likely start his Pirates career with Double-A Altoona. He still has some things to work on, especially on the defensive side of the ball, so he will start n Double-A. Given his defensive struggles, it is unclear whether the Pirates will keep him as a shortstop or move him around the diamond. Currently, at Double-A, you have Stephen Alemais and Connor Kaiser playing shortstop, and Castillo would have to beat one of those two out for playing time. However, if he continues to hit the ball well, he could be a candidate to eventually get moved to the outfield. If you hit they are going to find a spot on the field for you and Castillo has proven this season that he can hit. He still has a lot left to prove in the Minor Leagues, but if the 2021 season is an indication of things to come the Pirates might have found a steal on the market.
The Pittsburgh Pirates (38-61) return to action tonight when they open a three-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers (58-42) at 7:05 pm. Tyler Anderson (5-8, 4.35) is scheduled to take the hill for the Pirates in his final scheduled start before the Trade Deadline for the Pirates against Brett Anderson (2-5, 4.26) for the Brewers. You can watch the game live on AT&T Sportsnet, listen on 93.7 The Fan, or follow along with us on Twitter by following @Buccos_Cove.
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