Yuli Gurriel Claims American League Batting Champion Title

Posted on October 4, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Yuli Gurriel’s career is in full swing…

The 37-year-old Cuban professional baseball first baseman, nicknamed “La Piña”, hit a winning RBI single in the ninth inning, and the AL West champion Houston Astros headed to the postseason with a 7-6 win over the Oakland Athletics on Sunday.

Gurriel, the American League batting champion, hit .319 and became Houston’s second player to win a batting title after Jose Altuve in 2014, ’16 and ’17. Gurriel became the second Cuban-born big league batting champion following Tony Oliva in 1964, ’65 and 1971.

“It’s something really important,” Gurriel said through a translator. “I think everybody knows it’s a big deal, and it’s tough to win a batting title, so that means a lot. I was fine either way with playing today. … It turned out that I was able to be there in the end, so it all worked out.”

Gurriel, who entered in the ninth as a defensive replacement, singled to left off Lou Trivino (7-8) to score Jason Castro, who had singled starting the inning and took third on Yordan Álvarez’s one-out double.

Gurriel said he wasn’t prepared to hit on Sunday and hadn’t taken a swing all day before the at bat, but he had a positive mindset to get a hit.

“He didn’t sit on it,” said Houston manager Dusty Baker, who claimed he predicted to bench coach Joe Espada the previous inning that “Yuli is going to win this game. Walkoff.”

Oakland was 86-76, finishing nine games behind the Astros in third place.

Jason Castro Signs Two-Year, $7 Million Contract with Houston Astros

Posted on January 21, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Jason Castro has landed an astronomical deal…

The Houston Astros have reached a two-year, $7 million contract with the Latino professional baseball catcher, according to ESPN.

The deal, which includes $2 million in possible escalators based on games played at catcher in 2021, brings Castro back to Houston, where he was drafted in the first round of the 2008 amateur draft, spent his first six major league seasons and was an MLB All-Star in 2013.

Castro gives Houston another veteran catcher to play behind starter Martin Maldonado. Castro hit hit .232 with 62 home runs and 212 RBIs over 617 games during his first stint in Houston.

Castro finished the 2020 season with the San Diego Padres following a trade by the Los Angeles Angels in August. He appeared in 27 games between the two teams during the shortened season, hitting .188 with two home runs and nine RBIs. He spent the previous three seasons with the Minnesota Twins, where he played 208 games and hit .229.

He’s been a below-average hitter throughout his career, with a .230 batting average, but has been lauded for his pitch-framing and blocking skills.

The Athletic first reported on the agreement, while USA Today first reported the terms of the deal.

Francisco Lindor Elected to Executive Subcommittee of Major League Baseball Players Association

Posted on December 5, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Francisco Lindor is representing his fellow players…

The 27-year-old Puerto Rican Major League Baseball player, a shortstop for the Cleveland Indians, has been elected to the executive subcommittee of the Major League Baseball Players Association.

Lindor joins a roster of newcomers to the executive subcommittee that includes New York Yankees pitchers Zack Britton and Gerrit Cole, free-agent catcher Jason Castro and free-agent shortstop Marcus Semien.

They join St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Andrew Miller, free-agent pitcher James Paxton and Washington Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer on the union’s highest-ranking member body.

The newcomers replace Elvis Andrus, Cory Gearrin, Chris Iannetta, Collin McHugh and Daniel Murphy on the executive subcommittee.

Lindor and Semien were elected alternate association player representatives, Britton a pension committee representative, and Cole an alternate pension committee representatives.

Britton, Cole, Paxton and Scherzer are clients of agent Scott Boras. Semien is represented by the Wasserman agency, Lindor by SportsMeter, Miller by Frontline Athlete Management and Castro by ISE Baseball.

Cole, at $324 million over eight years, and Scherzer, at $210 million over six seasons, are among baseball’s highest-paid players.

Britton has a $53 million, three-year deal and Miller a $34.5 million, three-year contract. Lindor is eligible for arbitration after making $17.5 million. Semien had a $13 million salary last season, Paxton $12.5 million and Castro $6.85 million.

Castro Days Away from Releasing New Album, Only A Mountain

Posted on January 2, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Jason Castro is days away from releasing his latest album…

The 25-year-old Colombian American singer and former American Idol alum will release his sophomore album, Only A Mountain, on January 15.

“It’s been quite some time since my debut came out, so I’m anxiously looking forward to it,” Castro tells Billboard. “I remember that in the beginning when we started writing and recording it, I thought ‘Is this really going to happen? Are we really going to do this?’ I’m so excited. It’s all kind of surreal, in a way.”

Castro says many of the tracks on the new album represent a growth and maturity in his personal life over the last few years.

“I think a good portion of the album has been directly influenced or inspired by family life, and things that have gone on the past few years,” says Castro. “It’s definitely a snapshot of the last few years of my life. I hope they inspire people in their own journeys.”

The title track serves as the first single, and Castro says that’s no coincidence.

“We picked that song because that’s the overall message that we wanted to impart,” says Castro. “That’s one of the biggest lessons I have learned over the last few years – realizing that the struggles or problems I have faced, are so small in the big scheme of things. But, it’s all about having faith, and waiting it out. Things always get better. One of my favorite quotes I’ve heard – and I don’t know who said it, was ‘Everything will be ok, and if it’s not ok, it’s not the end.’ I’ve said that quote a lot over the years, and I feel the song catches that spirit.”

The Castro Brothers Cover Lovato’s “Give Your Heart a Break”

Posted on August 24, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Jason and Michael Castro are giving Demi Lovato’s lungs a break…

The Colombian American brothers—both former American Idol contestants—have recorded a moving acoustic version of Lovato’s latest single “Give Your Heart a Break.”

Michael—who made it to Hollywood Week on Idol’s eighth season—kicks off the brotherly cover while Jason strums along on the guitar. But then Jason—who finished in fourth place on the Fox singing competition’s seventh season—lends his voice on the second verse.

But it’s the last half of the song, when both brothers join voices on the track, that really makes this a truly special cover that the new The X Factor judge would be quite proud of.

Castro Releases New Christian Track, “Only a Mountain”

Posted on August 16, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Following a 16 month absence, Jason Castro has made his triumphant return to the Billboard charts…

The 25-year-old Colombian American singer and former American Idol finalist has returned to the music scene with his latest single “Only a Mountain.”

Castro’s Christian song debuts on Billboard’s Christian Digital Songs chart at No. 12.

“Only a Mountain” is the title track from Castro’s sophomore album, which is scheduled for release date of January 15, 2013. But before then, there will be a five-track EP, Starting Line, available August 28 through Walmart and online retailers.

Castro’s previous Christian single, “You Are,” appeared on the Billboard chart in the spring of 2011.

The dreadlocked Texas native was the fourth place finalist on the seventh season of American Idol.

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