Scouting grades 20–80
60Hit
50Power
50Run
50Field
60Arm
There may not be a better pure hitter in the 2027 class than Sebastian Castillo. The Texas high school shortstop has done nothing but hit over the past two summers, firmly establishing himself as a potential first-round prospect.
Castillo boasts plus bat-to-ball skills and a uncanny knack for adjusting to pitches off the plate that few in the class can match. He's simply one of the toughest outs in the country, backed up by consecutive summers hitting north of .400 at the biggest and brightest events the showcase and tournament circuit has to offer. While he has a pronounced barrel wrap in his setup, there isn't much else to critique. Castillo employs a short, compact move to the baseball with a barrel that stays through the zone for a long time. There's real strength in his hands, allowing him to routinely pop triple-digit exit velocities when he squares one up. Castillo currently favors driving line drives into both gaps, though he'll flash pullside juice when he catches one out front. Given how well he tests athletically and from a bat speed standpoint, it's easy to project above-average raw power down the line.
Defensively, Castillo is a steady infielder with reliable hands and a plus arm across the diamond. His range may ultimately profile better at second or third base at the next level, and his longer arm action raises minor questions about sticking on the left side of the dirt long-term. Still, Castillo’s polished offensive profile and chances of sticking on the dirt give him a real shot to hear his name early come July.
