PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Pirates GM Ben Cherington said the intent was not that they wanted to rid themselves of a 24-year-old with 22 home runs in 536 MLB at bats. It was more they had their eyes on adding a lefty starter.
Rodolfo Castro really showed flashes with the Bucs in 2022, in 71 games hit eight doubles, four triples and 11 home runs with a .725 OPS. He was hitting .228 this year with six home runs in 78 games. The switch-hitter had his inconsistencies, but was still really young.
“Rudy is a very talented young player,” Cherington said. “I think Rudy is going to find success in the big leagues in the future. We liked him a lot.”
There is probably a sense of not beating up a guy they just traded. Castro had four hits in his last 44 at bats with the Pirates this year had was sent down to AAA last month. Cherington said it was about how some of the other players did around him.
“I really think it’s the maturation of the whole infield group and looking where we are going forward with the guys currently here on the 26-man, on our 40-man, likely to be on our 40-man soon,” Cherington said. “We are really considering the overall infield depth and opportunity to add a left-hand starter.”
The return is 26-year-old Bailey Falter, who likely will get an opportunity to pitch in the Pirates rotation. He may not come right away, but you would think that is likely. He’s made 50 career appearances with the Phillies with 24 starts, 8-12 record, 4.56 ERA, 136 strikeouts, 1.27 WHIP. This year, 0-7, 5.13 ERA, seven starts in eight appearances, allowed seven home runs in 40.1 innings with a 1.43 WHIP.
“Falter is a guy we’ve had our eyes for a while,” Cherington said. “Left-hand pitcher, strike-thrower, deceptive. Pitched on a big stage, pitched with a good team, pitched in a tough pitchers’ park for a lefty in Philly. PNC Park is a nice park for a lefty of his style.”
“We always thought he was a nice fit for our team and ballpark. I’ve asked the Phillies for him a number of times over the years.”
He’s 6’4”, 175 pounds and becomes a free agent in 2028. Phillies picked him in the fifth round in 2015. Not a hard-thrower, sits around 91 miles-an-hour but it’s believed his delivery hides the ball enough to make it seem faster.
“He’s someone we’ve had an eye on for two or three years,” Cherington said. “Excited to get him here with the Pirates and get to know him better.”