Ismael Castro
From BR Bullpen
Ismael Castro Gamboa
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 5' 9", Weight 193 lb.
Ismael Castro was a minor league player for nine years, reaching AAA. In five of those seasons, he hit .300 or better.
Castro signed with the Seattle Mariners in 1999. He debuted in 2000 with San Felipe and hit .302. With the 2001 Aguirre club, he batted .300 and stole 23 bases. In 2002, Ismael batted .313/.356/.507 in 66 games for the Everett AquaSox, with 13 steals in 15 tries, 26 doubles and 55 runs. Promoted to the San Bernardino Stampede, he was 3 for 20 with two doubles, a walk and nine K. He led the Northwest League in many categories - hits (89), runs, total bases (144), extra-base hits (36) and doubles. He was third in slugging and fifth in average. He was named the NWL All-Star second baseman as well as MVP. Baseball America named him the loop's #3 prospect after Andy Sisco and Freddy Lewis.
At age 19, Castro hit .275/.314/.373 for the Inland Empire 66ers. He returned to the same club the next year and looked much sharper (.303/.343/.500) in 16 games before a season-ending left knee sprain). Moving up to the San Antonio Missions in 2005, the Colombian put up a .264/.286/.390 line. He split 2006 between San Antonio (.241/.274/.339 in 31 G) and the Tacoma Rainiers (.303/.332/.486). Despite being only 23 years old at season's end and having done well in his AAA stint, the Mariners did not re-sign him for 2007.
Going to the independent leagues in '07, Ismael hit .332/.385/.543 with 37 doubles in 83 games for the Macon Music. He led the South Coast League in two-baggers. In 2008, Castro batted .300/.339/.393 with the Nashua Pride.
Castro helped Colombia win a Silver Medal at the 2010 South American Games.
