Isaac Castillo caught a pleasant surprise while out fishing on a boat off Kikiaola Harbor on Wednesday. Instead of a monster-sized ‘ulua, the former Waimea High School third baseman received the call he’s been waiting for his entire life —
Isaac Castillo caught a pleasant surprise while out fishing on a boat off Kikiaola Harbor on Wednesday.
Instead of a monster-sized ‘ulua, the former Waimea High School third baseman received the call he’s been waiting for his entire life — a call from a Major League Baseball team on draft day.
“It caught me by surprise,” Castillo said. “I was out in the boat and my phone was off, but when I turned it on, my mom called and told me I got drafted. I was screaming.”
The Minnesota Twins drafted the 2006 KIF Player of the Year in the 44th round (1,324th pick).
“It’s an honor,” Castillo’s mom, Pat said. “From small kid time he always wanted to be a Major League Baseball player.”
The switch-hitter will be a draft-and-follow player, just like former Kaua‘i High School standout Kirby Yates (Boston Red Sox), who is undergoing rehab from Tommy John surgery.
“I’m happy for him,” Yates said. “Obviously he worked hard for it.”
“The night before the draft, Ben Cox, a scout for the Twins called me and we were talking about the draft,” Castillo said. “I never thought it would be this year, but maybe in three or four years.”
Besides hooking up big catches out at sea, Castillo will continue to work out this summer, but when August comes around, he’s almost certain he’ll be heading to Cuesta College (JC) in San Luis Obispo, Calif.
“(Ben) Cox is trying to arrange something for me to play against college and pro prospects this summer,” Castillo said. “He’s going to get back to me about it.”
Castillo, who was a part of the first Menehune KIF Baseball championship squad since 1994, credits off-island and Mainland camps and clinics for getting him the exposure he needed.
“That was crucial,” Castillo said. “I don’t think I’d be in this position without those experiences.”
Waimea head coach Kelly Robinson knew Castillo was going to get the nod from the beginning of last season.
“They were pursuing him early last year,” Robinson said. “I was happy for him. He’s a self-motivated type of person. He learns really fast and he knows the game really well. He was a great leader for us. The coaching staff could step back and do the finer points and he would get everybody in line.”
Despite the overwhelming news, Castillo remains grounded.
“My parents helped me out a lot,” Castillo said. “Also, my coaches and teammates were always there for me, helping me through tough times.”
“I still can’t believe it yet,” Castillo’s father, Terrence said. “I’m still in shock. I was driving, coming back from Lihu‘e when my wife called and I almost swerved to the side. He worked so hard to get to this point.”
Yates rehabbing
on the island
Kirby Yates, last year’s only Kaua‘i MLB draftee, went down with an injury during the middle part of this season for Yavapai College (JC) in Prescott, Arizona.
The Roughriders lost to Walters State, 7-6, in the National Junior College Athletic Association National Championship game.
Kirby is on the island, working with Steve Nakamura of Action Physical Therapy and expects to return to Yavapai next season.
“I’m home for the summer,” Yates said. “I have to go to O‘ahu until I get up to full strength.”
Yates expects to rehab for about 4-5 months and up until then, the 2005 KIF Baseball Player of the Year will be hitting the weights and working with Nakamura.
“It’s a hard rehab and I’ve talked to other players who’ve gone through it,” Yates said. “They told me to get ready to work. If I wanna come back, it’s gonna take a lot of dedication. There’s no reason why I shouldn’t come back.”
The Red Sox drafted the right-handed pitcher in the 26th round of last year’s draft. Castillo was the lone Kaua‘i athlete to get the nod from a MLB team this year.
• Duane Shimogawa Jr., sports editor, may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 257) or kauaisports@kauaipubco.com.
