Arizona D'backs Star Rookie Matches Hall of Famer With Historic Performance

On Monday, the Arizona Diamondbacks snapped a three-game losing streak, securing a much-needed win against the lowly Miami Marlins. After winning 18 of their last 21 games, Arizona fell flat to start their three-city road trip, getting swept by the Tampa Bay Rays over the weekend. However, the Diamondbacks pulled off a 9-6 win on Monday, keeping their distance in the National League Wild Card race.

Leading the charge for the D-Backs offensively and defensively in last night’s decisive win was rookie catcher Adrian Del Castillo. The Miami native knocked in six runs, walked, stole a base, and threw out a runner, with his performance putting him in elite company despite it being just his ninth career MLB game.

Arizona Diamondbacks Adrian Del Castillo: Historical Performance on Monday

In the series opener on Monday, rookie Adrian Del Castillo became the third catcher in MLB history to record six RBI and steal a base in a single game, joining two-time All-Star Jerry Grote and Hall of Famer Johnny Bench. Grote accomplished the feat in 1981 despite the 38-year-old recording only nine RBI that season. Meanwhile, Bench achieved the elusive performance in 1974 en route to a top-five MVP finish. He led the MLB with 129 RBI that season.

After striking out in the second inning against journeyman Adam Oller, Del Castillo faced the right-hander again in the top of the third. Del Castillo smacked a fastball to dead center with the bases loaded for a go-ahead grand slam. The rookie backstop walked in the fifth before singling in a pair of runs in the seventh and eventually stealing second base off catcher Nick Fortes. The battery of Brandon Pfaadt and Del Castillo also combined for a “strike ’em out, throw ’em out” in the bottom of the fourth.

Del Castillo: Joined Arizona Diamondbacks in Early August

Photo byJoshua PeacockonUnsplash

In an early August matchup against the Cleveland Guardians, the Arizona Diamondbacks lost catcher Gabriel Moreno to a groin strain. With an extensive absence looming, the D-Backs sent Moreno to the IL while selecting Adrian Del Castillo’s contract from Triple-A Reno. The hits leader in the minors, Del Castillo, has not lost a step during his first taste of MLB action, posting a .333/.405/.667 slash line in nine games.

A second-round pick in the 2021 MLB Draft out of the University of Miami, the 24-year-old largely struggled until the 2023 season, his first with Double-A Amarillo and Triple-A Reno. Del Castillo slugged .505 with Amarillo across 63 games before earning the call-up to Reno, where he played 37 games. This season, the backstop dominated at the Triple-A level, slugging .608 with 24 home runs and 70 RBI in 100 games.

Arizona Diamondbacks: Face Miami Marlins Again on Tuesday

The Arizona Diamondbacks and the Miami Marlins will play the second game of a three-game set on Tuesday. However, manager Torey Lovullo will choose Jose Herrera as catcher over the red-hot Adrian Del Castillo. Arizona will send lefty Eduardo Rodriguez to the bump, while Miami will counter with righty Edward Cabrera. Meanwhile, the D-Backs will again be without the dynamic duo of Christian Walker and Ketel Marte as they continue to work their way back from the IL.

Arizona enters Tuesday with a 4.5-game lead on the New York Mets for an NL Wild Card spot. New York will face the Baltimore Orioles. Additionally, Arizona sits four games back from the Los Angeles Dodgers for the top spot in the NL West.

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Article originally written by Alec Musa