A few days ago, Diamondbacks manager Chip Hale expressed some good-natured exasperation at how often he’s asked if he’s surprised by the play of catcher Welington Castillo. Of course, Hale would face that question less often if Castillo wasn’t doing such surprising things.
Since the Diamondbacks acquired him as part of a package from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for Mark Trumbo and Vidal Nuño in early June, the 28-year-old Castillo has been one of the best hitters on the team. Since June 5, he’s hit .297 with a .378 on-base and a ridiculous .641 slugging. In just 163 plate appearances as a Diamondback, he’s clubbed 13 home runs.