Willi Castro is quietly one of baseball’s most versatile and valuable players

Willi Castro was not signed by the Detroit Tigers and the Twins added him as a minor league free agent two years ago. What a move that turned out to be. In less than two seasons with Minnesota, he has developed into the ideal utility player.

According to the highly popular Cespedes Family BBQ account on X, Castro is the first player in MLB history to appear in at least 20 games at five different positions in a season, and Minnesota is only halfway through its 2024 season. Castro has appeared at least 20 times at second base, shortstop, third base, center field and left field.

The Puerto Rican native is one of 13 players in MLB to appear in all 84 games this season. He is hitting .276/.357/.452 with 7 home runs and 27 RBIs. Castro’s 2.7 WAR (wins above replacement) ranks 34th in the majors, just behind Reds phenom Elly De La Cruz (2.8) and not far behind teammate Carlos Correa and Guardians MVP candidate Jose Ramirez (both 3.1).

While Correa, Royce Lewis and Byron Buxton get most of the attention for the Twins, Castro has quietly become one of their best players and easily one of the most versatile players in the league.