7. Ryan Castellani, RHP
Birthdate: 4/1/96 (20 years old)
Level(s) Played in 2016: high A
Stats in 2016: 167 2/3 IP, 3.81 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 7.2 BB%, 20.46 K%
If there’s any number in the minor league statistical gallery that I’m a sucker for, it’s home runs allowed rates. Castellani had a ridiculously low rate, and he did it this year in the Cal League, which is why he got a lot more of my viewing.
That viewing showed a lot more than what he’s being rated currently. I’m seeing Castellani left off many top-10 Rockies lists or slotting in at #10. For me, he’s absolutely a guy to follow going forward with a chance to turn into something special for the Rockies if everything hits just right.
he’s absolutely a guy to follow going forward with a chance to turn into something special for the Rockies if everything hits just right
Castellani’s fastball is his best offering, and he can repeat 92-94 with excellent late movement that makes it incredibly difficult to square up. He pairs that with a slider that above-average with room to grow that seems to always find its way into the dirt, either under a hitter’s bat or on the infield dirt, leading to an easy out.
The change is what impressed me most. He really has an excellent action with it that mimics the fastball, and he gets very good movement on the pitch. I’d put it as a fringe-plus pitch right now with the ability to grow for sure.
Castellani’s biggest issue will be his delivery going forward. He has a lot of body movement in his delivery, and that does work for some guys, but I intentionally sought out a few starts that he struggled, and you can see that when he does struggle, he tends to get going in too many directions and it affects his landing spot, which then, in turn, affects his arm angle, and that can take off some of that excellent late movement on all his pitches, allowing his stuff to get hit more easily.
I’d imagine he’ll move up to AA, and he’ll have hitting-friendly environments to counter the rest of his way to the majors, but if he can get his delivery together consistently, he’s got the upside of a #2/3 starter.
Next: #6