Twins infielder Willi Castro enjoys first All-Star Game

ARLINGTON, Texas – The Minnesota Twins’ Willi Castro never wrote down any personal goals growing up in Puerto Rico. He merely put his trust in his abilities and his talent, letting the rest take care of itself.

After he was released from the Detroit Tigers in 2022, he quickly found a new home in the Twin Cities, adjusting as the Twins’ everyday utilityman. On Tuesday night, he was among baseball’s best

Castro, 27, put his talent on display Tuesday night with the other notable All-Stars in the 94th annual MLB All-Star Game at Globe Life Field.

“I know anytime it could’ve happened, but this year it happened,” Castro said of becoming an All-Star. “I’m really proud of myself for the work I put in, and we’re here to do it all.”

Proud Willi Castro

Castro, who replaced Astros second baseman Jose Altuve on the AL All-Star team, is in his second season with the Twins. He finished the first half batting .265/.352/.422 with 90 hits, 22 doubles, five triples, seven home runs and 30 RBIs. Moreover, he carries a 123 wRC+ and 119 OPS+.

The Twins’ utilityman has played six of the nine positions on the field this season. He has played 30 games at second base, 24 at shortstop, 23 in right field, 21 at third and 20 in right field. Castro has also pitched in two games, throwing 1 ⅓ innings and giving up no hits.

Castro was in his hotel room when Twins manager Rocco Baldelli informed him about the All-Star berth. The native of Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, was astonished.

“It was a great feeling,” he said. “Obviously as a kid you see a lot of great baseball players make it to the All-Star Game. It’s another step for me. I know all the dedication, all the work that I put in to get here. It’s a really special moment to get to know a lot of new faces and to be here to represent the Twins.”

Castro’s parents, wife, and two daughters attended his first All-Star Game. His wife, Aniana, has been right by his side across his baseball career. Through the ups and downs, Aniana was always there for Willi. 

When Willi was notified he was going to the All-Star Game in Texas, he quickly picked up his phone and shared the wonderful news with his wife.

Family trip

“She got emotional,” Willi Castro said. “She was really happy because she’s been through a lot with me with the bad days or struggling, so she was the first person I called.”

Twins shortstop Carlos Correa, who earned his third All-Star Game berth and first with the Twins, was pleased to share the moment with Castro.

Wrangled our All-Stars up for a quick photo! 🤠 pic.twitter.com/LKlUWygrLS

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) July 16, 2024

Correa sat five feet away from his countryman Monday afternoon at Media Day. Correa picked Castro as the Twins’ Most Valuable Player in late June. If anyone was more excited about Castro making the All-Star team than Castro it was Correa.

“Willi is the man. He’s my favorite player for a reason,” Correa said of Castro. “He plays any position and plays it at a high level. You cannot name a lot of guys that can do that in the big leagues right now.

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“Plus, his offensive production has been great. His baserunning is unbelievable. For me, it’s the fact that he can play shortstop at a high level. He can play center field at a high level and any position. That’s really impressive.”

Castro made his All-Star Game debut as a pinch-hitter for David Fry in the eighth inning Tuesday night. The 27-year-old switch-hitter grounded out to third baseman Elly De La Cruz in his lone at-bat. Castro may have not recorded a hit in his first All-Star Game, but he enjoyed his time with his loved ones.

“It’s really special to represent the Twins,” he said on the MLB Red Carpet Show. “Being here with family is just great.”