Red Sox’ prospect Pedro Castellanos continues to showcase his power for the Venezuelan Winter League
There has always been power in Red Sox’ prospect Pedro Castellanos swing. That power showed during the 2021 season and has carried into the Venezuelan Winter League.
This past season, Castellanos belted 13 home runs for Double-A Portland while driving in 44 runs. The outfield prospect has continued to show that same power swing this winter.
While playing for Cardenales de Lara, Castellanos has hit eight homers in 38 games. In addition to his power he’s hitting .313 and has driven in 20 runs.
The power hitting outfielder crushed a three-run homer, which was his eight of the winter two days ago for Cardenales de Lara.
He’s always shown power potential, but it wasn’t until Castellanos linked up with Sea Dogs hitting coach Lance Zawadzki.
The Sea Dogs hitting coach would have Castellanos take swings with some golf clubs. Zawadzki wanted to see Castellanos swing golf clubs to help better control his swing at the plate.
From an interview with the Press Herald back in July of 2021, Zawadzki spoke about the unorthodox approach to Castellanos’ swing.
“He used to swing very steep and across,” said Zawadzki, in the interview. “I just got him to get under his shoulders. So we exaggerated it with (the golf club) and brought it into his bat. We moved his hands down and gave him some rhythm.”
Following practicing with the golf clubs, Castellanos hit eight home runs over a 24-game span. The 24-year-old prospect had the power and Zawadzki helped him tap into it by correcting his swing.
Castellanos has the potential to be a 25-30 home run player. That power potential provides the Red Sox with an internal power option for the future.
Per the scouting report from SoxProspects, Castellanos has “Plus raw power but historically has had curiously well below-average in-game power. Power comes mostly from strength.”
SoxProspects would go on to add, “Potential bat-first organizational player. Bat will be tested as he progresses through the system as he has yet to show the bat speed or approach to succeed against more advanced pitching. Development will depend largely on fixing his issue of failing to tap into his raw power at all.”
If the Venezuelan outfielder can continue to showcase his power swing in 2022, he will continue to position himself to grow in the Red Sox system and eventually the majors.
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