LAKELAND, Fla. — Willi Castro wants to put his stamp on the everyday shortstop job the Detroit Tigers are entrusting him with this season. He hopes to stick around, but it's imperative for him to show last season wasn't a fluke.
The 23-year-old started the year strong, launching a 458-foot home run on the first official pitch he has seen since last September. Exploding for six runs in the first inning, the Tigers coasted to a 10-2 win Sunday over the Philadelphia Phillies in the Grapefruit League opener at Joker Marchant Stadium.