Contrasting mentalities make dominant All-Star duo of Castillo, Kirby fascinating

July 10th, 2023

SEATTLE -- When Luis Castillo and arrive at T-Mobile Park on Tuesday for the All-Star Game in their own ballpark, they’ll probably be doing so with completely different demeanors.

Maybe the fact it’ll be Kirby’s first Midsummer Classic, that it’s an exhibition game and that he’ll be surrounded by many players he grew up watching will allow him to break from his intensity. But if it’s anything like a normal start day for the second-year big leaguer, the vigor will be high.

Yet, for the cool, calm and collected Castillo, while he’ll certainly be more amped -- as he typically is for bigger moments -- he’ll also bring the same grounded persona that he would on any other day that he’s not pitching.

The Mariners are the only American League team with two starting pitchers represented -- and they’ll also have Julio Rodríguez in the house -- but in a fittingly fun quirk, the personalities of the pitching duo could not be more different.

Just take it from their pitching coach, Pete Woodworth, who, beyond preparing each on start days is tasked with balancing these eclectic characters.

“George on game day, in-game, an hour before the game to even 30 minutes after the game, he's angry,” Woodworth said. “I don't know how else to put it. Like, he's obviously focused. He's aggressive, but he's angry. He wants to hurt them. He wants to beat the [heck] out of them. He's not satisfied with anything but putting up zeros.

“Which is completely different than Luis,” Woodworth continued. “Not that Luis enjoys giving up runs, but Luis is more laid back. Luis is more relaxed. It looks like Luis has more fun in between innings, even out there on the field. Like, he's kind of aware of his surroundings and has fun out there.”

How about during the game?

“Mound visits with Luis are always a blast. Mound visits with George are not fun,” Woodworth said. “He doesn't want me to be out there for one more second. So yeah, they are different on game day.”

Castillo and Kirby might go about their business differently, but from a stuff standpoint, they possess many similarities.

Power pitchers with multiple fastballs that are both elite, Kirby and Castillo are strikeout artists at their essence. Both also utilized a changeup as their best secondary pitch earlier in their careers but have each since turned to a slider for their secondary out pitch.

“They prepare a little bit differently,” Mariners manager Scott Servais said. “I think 'The Rock' over the years, he really leans on his ability, he trusts his ability, the ability to read swings, force the game, whatever. George is learning. He's getting better at that, but he's going to lean on the catcher quite a bit.”

They also relish the monumental moments, none more notable than last year’s AL Wild Card Series in Toronto, when Castillo threw 7 1/3 shutout innings against the juggernaut Blue Jays lineup in Game 1, and Kirby put the finishing touches on that series with his first career save in Game 2.

“They both rise to two big situations in the game,” Woodworth said. “They just kind of do it differently. George just kind of gets more focused, but Luis' intensity and stuff ticks up. Like, 'OK, now it's time to put it in fifth gear. I can empty the tank right here.' George is kind of doing that from pitch one.”

Their upbringings were completely different, too. Castillo was born and raised in the Dominican Republic and came to the United States at age 19 after signing as an international free agent with the Giants in 2011. He’s also been traded five times. Kirby, who grew up outside New York City, was a first-round Draft pick in 2019 after attending Elon University and is a homegrown product.

Castillo’s favorite player growing up? Pedro Martinez, who tormented the Yankees teams that Kirby grew up idolizing.

They’ve also each bought in heavily to the Mariners’ pitching philosophy that puts a premium on strike-throwing.

“Kirby has been dominating the zone since he came out of the womb,” Woodworth said. “He didn't really need to buy into our philosophy. He kind of was our philosophy. ... It didn't take Luis long to realize the importance of getting ahead and throwing first-pitch strikes and being aggressive in the zone until two strikes. And he picked that up immediately.”

Castillo and Kirby might be carved from different molds, but they’re each vital to the Mariners’ success -- and they’re both worthy All-Stars.