In an electrifying exhibition game on February 24 in Kadena, Okinawa, Japan, KIA Tigers’ foreign slugger Harold Castro delivered a standout performance against the Korean WBC national team, smashing two home runs in his first two at-bats.
Castro’s Explosive Outing
Castro wasted no time making his mark. In the first inning, he crushed the second pitch from Korean starter Ko Young-pyo for a towering home run, electrifying the crowd. Later, facing a high fastball, he launched another deep shot, showcasing his power and precision. He finished the day 3-for-4 with one home run, two RBI, one double, and one run scored, displaying flawless timing throughout.
His fourth at-bat resulted in a sharp double, further highlighting his consistent contact skills. Despite the high stakes of the matchup, Castro showed no signs of nerves, adapting seamlessly to the international competition.
Expert Praise and Team Optimism
Commentator Min Byung-hun praised Castro’s display, stating, “Castro nailed two chain home runs right from the start. The second one was perfectly timed off the pitcher’s fastball, and he even crushed a high fastball for another homer. He made no contact errors in either at-bat. His mentality is strong—well-prepared and unfazed by pressure.”
KIA hitting coach Kim Ju-chan echoed the sentiment, noting, “Castro excels at perfectly timing pitches. He’s the type who hits crucial points well, making him a reliable presence.”
Path to KIA’s Lineup
This performance has KIA coaches eyeing Castro for a spot in the spring training first-team camp. At 1.83m and 88kg, the Venezuelan infielder brings elite power despite his age. In Triple-A with the Triple-A affiliate last season, he posted a .337 average over 99 games (113 hits in 368 at-bats), 21 home runs, 65 RBI, and an .892 OPS.
Prior to joining KIA, his Venezuelan winter league stats included a .332 average (62 hits in 187 at-bats), six home runs, and 25 RBI over 44 games.
KIA’s Strategic Move
Min Byung-hun added, “Power-hitting foreign players are rare and hard to evaluate perfectly, but Castro proved himself as a top-tier import who hits well in real games. He has the confidence to succeed in Korea, much like past stars Logan or Socrates Brito.”
Castro steps into a crucial role for KIA, positioned as the starting fourth batter to fill the void left by Choi Hyung-woo’s departure via FA. With Patrick Wisdom (35 HR) and Choi Hyung-woo (24 HR) gone from the home run leaderboard, Castro’s arrival strengthens the lineup depth and provides optimism for a smooth transition.
Post-game, Castro met with teammates, fueling expectations that he could anchor the middle of the order and elevate KIA’s offensive firepower in the upcoming season.
