Super utility? MLB vets Harold Castro, Cavan Biggio hope to bring versatility to Royals
Harold Castro was out of Major League Baseball in 2024. The veteran infielder, who spent six seasons with the Detroit Tigers and the Colorado Rockies, took his talent elsewhere.
He didn’t stray too far.
Castro played in the Mexican League with Toros de Tijuana. It was international ball and a chance to stay active in the game.
“I came from the big leagues and then stepped back to Mexico,” Castro said. “It’s a good league and all the replacements they are doing over there. I’ve just got to say, ‘Thank God,’ because he kept me in baseball. I’m glad for the year that I had over there. That was like a trampoline to be here again.”
Castro hit .320 with six home runs and 30 RBIs in 84 games. He recorded 106 hits, 20 doubles and a .813 OPS (on-base plus slugging).
The Kansas City Royals were very familiar with Castro. The club saw him often during American League Central games against the Tigers. Castro also played for Royals infield coach Jose Alguacil in the Venezuelan Winter League.
This offseason, the Royals looked for a left-handed hitting infielder. It’s a role that was fulfilled by Adam Frazier during the 2024 campaign. Frazier, who signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates, played across the diamond and in the outfield.
“I’ve always liked the Royals,” Castro said. “(I like) the way they play and how they treat people. You know, now I’m glad to be here with Salvy (Salvador Perez). I like the team, and I’ve liked the team since I was a kid. So I’m glad and happy to be here with them.”
Castro is competing for a roster spot this spring. He joins fellow utilitymen Cavan Biggio and Nick Loftin in the position battle.
Biggio signed a minor-league deal after playing for three teams last season. He has an MLB pedigree as his dad, Craig, is in the Hall of Fame.
In 2019, Cavan Biggio burst onto the scene with the Toronto Blue Jays. He hit 16 home runs, recorded 48 RBIs and finished fifth in the AL Rookie of the Year voting. However, Biggio has struggled with inconsistent play.
The Royals brought Biggio, as well as Castro, to big-league camp as non-roster invitees. Now, Biggio is hopeful to carve out a role wherever he is needed.
“It’s the same that I’ve been doing the last couple of years,” Biggio said. “It’s left-handed super-utility guy that can play the infield and the outfield. Just providing (Royals manager Matt Quatraro) and the rest of the team diversity. You know, putting the lineup out there and you are not restricted positionally. Whether I can fill a hole, or you know, injuries happen and guys need time off. Being able to fill in where needed is valuable.”
Loftin is also in the mix.
He has a slight advantage being on the Royals 40-man roster and a young prospect in their system. The Royals like Loftin, and there are several factors funneling into the decision of which super utilityman to keep.
In 2023, Loftin made his MLB debut with the Royals. He hit .189 last season and appeared in 57 games with the club. Loftin still has minor-league options left and will need to showcase more on offense to make the club.
The Royals will evaluate all of their options. They could decide to keep a left-handed infield specialist or go in a more traditional direction. Quatraro plans to utilize spring games to see which option will be more impactful for the club.
“It’s yet to be seen,” Quatraro said. “Whether that is a role we are going to need or not, just depends on how a lot of things shake out. We talked about it, we have a lot of different ways to go to build this roster. So, we definitely will consider that as one of the spots and try to put the best 13 together.”
This winter, Royals general manager J.J. Picollo revealed plans to search for a versatile defender to play third base and hit from the left-side of the plate. He added both Biggio and Castro to the mix. The moves were important as positional versatility was a staple of the 2024 team.
Last season, KC had Frazier and utilityman Garrett Hampson as defenders who could line up at different spots.
There is a chance the Royals decide to retain a similar approach. Castro and Biggio fit the mold as lefties able to play anywhere.
“They are both in really good spots,” Quatraro said. “They worked hard throughout the winter. Harold was playing winter ball, and Cavan was working a ton on his swing and athleticism to put himself in the best spot to compete. I think it’s exciting to have two really good players in that boat.”
Loftin made the opening-day roster out of camp last spring. The Royals will give the trio every opportunity to secure a spot in 2025.
“I’m just willing to show that I am the player that I think that I am and that I know that I am,” Biggio said. “The Royals have been nothing but great to me so far and just looking forward to going out there and going to play.”
This story was originally published February 22, 2025 at 6:15 PM with the headline "Super utility? MLB vets Harold Castro, Cavan Biggio hope to bring versatility to Royals."
