Willi Rafael Castro Capellan Bio
Willi Rafael Castro Capellan (born April 24, 1997) is a Puerto Rican professional baseball utility player who most recently played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Chicago Cubs, Minnesota Twins, and Detroit Tigers. Known for his defensive versatility across multiple positions, Castro made his MLB debut in 2019 with the Detroit Tigers and earned his first All-Star selection in 2024 while playing for the Minnesota Twins. He has established himself as a reliable switch-hitter capable of playing second base, shortstop, third base, and outfield positions throughout his professional career.
Early Life and Background
Willi Rafael Castro Capellan was born on April 24, 1997, in Puerto Rico. Growing up in Puerto Rico, Castro developed his passion for baseball at a young age. The island has produced numerous Major League Baseball players, providing a rich environment for young athletes aspiring to reach the professional ranks. Castro honed his skills in Puerto Rico before beginning his journey toward professional baseball.
Path to Professional Baseball
Castro signed with the Cleveland Indians as an international free agent in July 2013. This signing marked the beginning of his professional baseball career. The Indians organization saw potential in the young infielder and assigned him to their developmental system to continue his growth as a player.
Willi Rafael Castro Capellan Career
Minor League Development (2014–2018)
Following his signing, Castro made his professional debut in 2014 with the Arizona League Indians. In his debut season, he appeared in 43 games while batting .239 with two home runs and 11 runs batted in. He continued his development in 2015 with the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, where he showcased his speed by stealing twenty bases while hitting .264 with one home run and 25 RBIs. Castro advanced to the Lake County Captains and Lynchburg Hillcats in 2016, where he posted a .258 batting average with seven home runs and 49 RBIs across both teams. The 2017 season proved to be a breakthrough year for Castro as he batted .290 with a career-high 11 home runs, 58 RBIs, and 19 stolen bases in 28 attempts with Lynchburg. His performance earned him a spot on the Indians 40-man roster after the season concluded. MLB.com ranked Castro as Cleveland’s fifth-best prospect heading into the 2018 season, highlighting his status as one of the organization’s top prospects. He opened the 2018 season with the Akron RubberDucks before being traded mid-season.
Detroit Tigers (2019–2022)
On July 31, 2018, the Cleveland Indians traded Castro to the Detroit Tigers in exchange for Leonys Martín and Kyle Dowdy. Following the trade, he split the remainder of the season between the Erie SeaWolves and the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens, posting a combined .264 batting average across both levels. Castro began the 2019 season with Triple-A Toledo before receiving his first major league call-up. On August 24, 2019, the Tigers selected Castro’s contract and promoted him to the major leagues. He made his MLB debut that same night against the Minnesota Twins, going 2-for-4 at the plate. On September 22, 2019, Castro hit his first major league home run off Josh Osich of the Chicago White Sox. He finished his rookie season hitting .230 with one home run in 30 games. The 2020 season saw Castro earn a recall to the major league club in August. In 129 at-bats during the shortened season, he impressed with a .349 batting average, six home runs, and 24 RBIs. Castro made the 2021 Tigers team out of spring training and played in his first Opening Day game at the major league level. After experiencing defensive struggles at shortstop, manager A. J. Hinch began playing him more at second base. On July 16, the Tigers demoted Castro to Triple-A Toledo, where he had posted a .214 batting average with six home runs through the All-Star break. He was recalled on July 22 to replace the injured Isaac Paredes. Castro finished the 2021 season batting .220 with nine home runs, 38 RBIs, and nine stolen bases in 125 games. He began the 2022 season with Triple-A Toledo before being recalled in April to replace the injured Javier Báez. On November 18, 2022, the Tigers non-tendered Castro, making him a free agent.
Minnesota Twins (2023–2025)
On December 30, 2022, Castro signed a minor league contract with the Minnesota Twins. On March 29, 2023, the Twins selected his contract, adding him to the team’s Opening Day roster. He appeared in 124 games with the Twins during the 2023 season, slashing .257/.339/.411 while posting a career-high 2.7 Wins Above Replacement (WAR). His performance helped the Twins compete in the American League Central division. The 2024 season proved to be the best of Castro’s career. He slashed .247/.331/.385 with 150 strikeouts in 558 at-bats and was named to his first All-Star team, representing the Twins in the Midsummer Classic. This All-Star selection validated his status as one of the most valuable utility players in the American League. In 2025, Castro continued his solid performance with the Twins. On May 15, 2025, he recorded his 500th career hit as a major leaguer, going 2-for-4 against the Baltimore Orioles. Through 86 appearances with Minnesota that season, he batted .245/.335/.407 with 10 home runs, 27 RBIs, and nine stolen bases.
Chicago Cubs (2025)
On July 31, 2025, the Twins traded Castro to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for Ryan Gallagher and Sam Armstrong. He joined the Cubs for the remainder of the 2025 season, making 34 appearances with the National League club. With Chicago, Castro batted .170/.245/.240 with one home run, six RBIs, and one stolen base. The trade provided Castro with an opportunity to play for a contender in the National League while giving the Cubs additional versatility off the bench.
Defensive Versatility
Throughout his career, Castro has established himself as a true utility player, capable of playing multiple positions across the diamond. His defensive flexibility has allowed teams to utilize him at second base, shortstop, third base, and in the outfield. This positional versatility has made him a valuable asset for any roster, as managers can deploy him strategically based on matchups and game situations. His ability to switch-hit from both sides of the plate adds additional value, enabling him to remain in the lineup regardless of the opposing pitcher.
Notable Career Milestones
Castro achieved several significant milestones throughout his MLB career. His first major league hit and home run came during his debut season with the Tigers in 2019. The highlight of his career came in 2024 when he was selected to his first All-Star team while playing for the Twins. In May 2025, he reached the 500-hit milestone in his major league career. His career trajectory demonstrates consistent improvement and adaptability across multiple organizations and leagues.
Willi Rafael Castro Capellan Career Performance
Through his MLB career spanning from 2019 to 2025, Castro has established himself as a valuable utility player. His ability to play multiple positions combined with his switch-hitting ability has made him a reliable contributor at the major league level. His best statistical season came in 2023 with the Twins, where he posted a career-high 2.7 WAR while appearing in 124 games. The 2024 All-Star selection validated his development into an above-average MLB player capable of impacting games both offensively and defensively. Castro’s career statistics include a .248 batting average, 62 home runs, and 261 RBIs across his major league tenure.
Willi Rafael Castro Capellan Family
Family Background and Baseball Connections
Willi Rafael Castro Capellan comes from a family with connections to professional baseball. His sister-in-law is the sister of Amed Rosario, another Puerto Rican professional baseball player who has also played in Major League Baseball. This family connection to another MLB player has provided Castro with additional support and perspective throughout his professional career.
Personal Life
Castro is married to Aniana Rosario, who is the sister of Major League Baseball player Amed Rosario. The couple has been together throughout Castro’s professional baseball journey, supporting his career across multiple organizations. Castro and Aniana have a daughter together, building their family while balancing the demands of a professional baseball career. Castro maintains a presence on social media, connecting with fans through his Instagram account where he shares glimpses of his personal life and baseball career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a year of transition for Castro. He began the season with the Minnesota Twins, where he continued to serve as a valuable utility player. His milestone 500th career hit in May demonstrated his consistent ability to put the ball in play and reach base safely. The Twins ultimately traded Castro to the Chicago Cubs on July 31, 2025, sending him to a National League team in exchange for Ryan Gallagher and Sam Armstrong. Joining the Cubs for the stretch run provided Castro with an opportunity to contribute to a playoff race in the National League. He appeared in 34 games with Chicago, adjusting to his new team and the challenges of playing in a new league. His offensive numbers dipped following the trade, but his defensive versatility remained valuable to the Cubs’ roster composition as they evaluated their options for the future.