LA Sports Hub
Fansided

Los Angeles Angels sign catcher Jason Castro, a breakdown

By Ben McDonnell

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - JULY 16: Pitcher Andrew Heaney #28 of the Los Angeles Angels waits with catcher Kevan Smith #44 for manager Brad Ausmus (L) to take Heaney out of the game as David Fletcher #6 looks on during the fifth inning of the MLB game against the Houston Astros at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on July 16, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - JULY 16: Pitcher Andrew Heaney #28 of the Los Angeles Angels waits with catcher Kevan Smith #44 for manager Brad Ausmus (L) to take Heaney out of the game as David Fletcher #6 looks on during the fifth inning of the MLB game against the Houston Astros at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on July 16, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

An offseason full of lineup changes for the halos has yet another one. The Los Angeles Angels added some more potential help on offense signing free-agent catcher Jason Castro to a one year 6.85 million dollar deal.

This signing doesn’t come as a huge shock as the Los Angeles Angels were in desperate need of help behind the plate, and are hoping that Jason Castro could provide some offensive support. The switch-hitting catcher from Minnesota hit .232 last season with 13 home runs and 30 RBI in 79 games.

Castro is a nine-year veteran playing his first six seasons with the Houston Astros, and the next three in Minnesota. This should wrap up the everyday lineup improvements that the halos are looking to make for the upcoming year.

On paper, the lineup looks pretty good and even has the potential to become a top-ranked offense in baseball. The big issue for Castro, like a lot of hitters that comet Anaheim, is that it is a pitcher-friendly park. Despite that, it seems like a pretty low-risk move for the team, with the contract being only one year.

In fact, in relation to his peers behind the plate, Castro is an above-average hitter for a catcher. Of catchers with at least 250 at-bats, Castro ranked 15th in FanGraphs WAR, ranked fourth in base on balls percentage and ranked 15th in wRC+.

2012-2014 Chris Iannetta and 2010 Mike Napoli were the only Angel catchers in the 2010s to post a higher wRC+ than Castro did last season.

The Angels do have a few trade pieces left to make some moves before the season starts, however, the popular opinion seems to be that any trade the halos make will be to add another arm in the rotation.

Next. The best remaining move for the Angels. dark

With the addition of Castro, Anthony Rendon, and top prospect Jo Adell looking to be called up, the lineup is much improved over last year. If the Angels can get their pitching together, this lineup could help make the Los Angeles Angels competitive again.

Home/Los Angeles Angels