Kervin Castro is a 27-year-old Venezuelan right-hander working to carve out a permanent spot in the New York Yankees bullpen. Born in Maracay on February 7, 1999, he made his MLB debut on September 7, 2021, and after a bumpy stretch early in his career, he’s showing real signs of a breakout in 2026 — posting a 1.69 ERA that has the organization paying attention.
Background
Castro is from Maracay, Venezuela, a city with deep baseball roots that has sent plenty of talent to the big leagues. Like many Latin American prospects, his path ran through academies and the minor league system before the Yankees called him up for his September debut in 2021. He’s been grinding to stick ever since.
Professional Career
Castro’s MLB journey has included time with the Chicago Cubs before landing with the Yankees. In 2022, the numbers weren’t pretty: he posted a 7.59 ERA in 10.2 innings with the Cubs (7 strikeouts), and a 10.22 ERA in 12.1 innings in another stint that same year.
Fast forward to 2026, and the story looks very different. In 5.1 innings with New York, Castro has put up a 1.69 ERA, a 0.94 WHIP, and 7 strikeouts — numbers that point to better command and a reliever who’s finally figuring things out at the highest level.
Career Stats
- 2026 – New York Yankees: ERA 1.69 | 5.1 IP | 7 K | WHIP 0.94 | 0-0
- 2022 – (other): ERA 10.22 | 12.1 IP | 11 K | WHIP 1.78 | 0-1
- 2022 – Chicago Cubs: ERA 7.59 | 10.2 IP | 7 K | WHIP 1.50 | 0-1
Awards and Honors
Castro hasn’t collected individual hardware yet — no All-Star nods, no Gold Gloves. His career is still in building mode, and right now the goal is simple: earn a permanent roster spot and prove he belongs in a big-league bullpen night in, night out.
Worth Knowing
Castro is another reminder that Venezuela remains one of baseball’s most reliable pipelines. Despite the challenges facing the country, Maracay and cities like it keep producing pitchers and hitters chasing the same dream Castro is living right now in the Bronx.
