Charismatic Willi Castro grateful for ‘better opportunity’ with Tigers

The Tigers made one trade ahead of Tuesday's non-waiver deadline, sending CF Leonys Martin to the Indians for SS prospect Willi Castro. Rod Beard, The Detroit News

Erie, Pennsylvania — If he makes it to Detroit as that future everyday shortstop the Tigers have been chasing, television crews will love Willi Castro.

And so, it would seem, will fans.

This is one charismatic young man.

Steady, unforced smile. Smooth conversationalist, limited only by a low inventory of English words he can wield within a new language he otherwise speaks with admirable ease.

Castro sat in front of his Erie SeaWolves locker Tuesday a week after the Tigers landed him in a trade with the Indians that sent Leonys Martin…