Resilience and Consistency were Staples in Castellanos' Stellar Season on the Mound

Reno, Nev. – Following a remarkable season on the mound, Humberto Castellanos was honored with the title of Reno Aces Pitcher of the Year, a testament to his outstanding performance and determination throughout the 2024 campaign. The right-hander wrapped up the season with an impressive 9-1 record and a 3.81 ERA, an accomplishment that stands out, particularly in the notoriously hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League.

Throughout 21 games, including 20 starts, Castellanos struck out 102 batters in 104 innings, showcasing his prowess with an 8.83 K/9 rate while maintaining a 9.1% walk rate against his opponents.

Castellanos's success is especially remarkable, considering he missed the 2023 season recovering from Tommy John surgery. His resilience in returning to the mound is a testament to his physical recovery and mental fortitude. Fans and coaches were eager to see how he would perform after such a significant setback, and Castellanos did not disappoint.

One of his standout performances occurred early in the season on April 19 against the Salt Lake Bees. He was nothing short of brilliant in that game, allowing just one hit in five sparkling, scoreless innings while walking one and racking up four strikeouts. This performance set the tone for a season filled with memorable outings. Another notable highlight came in mid-June against the Sacramento River Cats, where Castellanos recorded a season-high 10 strikeouts. Although he surrendered six runs in 5 2/3 innings during that game, his ability to miss bats underscored his potential as a strikeout pitcher.

While he was not typically known for deep outings, Castellanos showed his capability to go the distance when needed. He managed six appearances of six or more innings, which is commendable in today's game. One of the most impressive came in late August against the Albuquerque Isotopes, where he showcased his dominance with a commanding seven-inning performance, allowing only one run, walking three, and striking out five batters. This outing indicated his growing confidence and ability to handle pressure.

In addition to his successes with the Aces, Castellanos also made several appearances with the Arizona Diamondbacks this season. His big-league journey began with a rough outing in early June against the San Diego Padres, where he struggled, giving up five runs in just 2 1/3 innings. However, Castellanos demonstrated his ability to bounce back, returning to the major leagues in July and significantly improving his performance.

Over six appearances in July, he allowed just one run in eight innings, striking out six batters while walking only two. He concluded his time with the Diamondbacks with a 5.23 ERA and a solid 7:4 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 10 1/3 innings.

Upon rejoining the Aces rotation in late July, the Mexican native did not skip a beat. In his first outing back, he limited the Las Vegas Aviators to just one run over six innings, with no walks and three strikeouts. This marked the beginning of a stellar stretch for Castellanos, as he established himself as a reliable arm for the team down the stretch.

In his final nine outings of the season, Castellanos boasted an impressive 2.55 ERA, striking out 41 batters while walking only 12 in 49 1/3 innings pitched. His 2.55 ERA during this period ranked third in the Pacific Coast League, while his 0.99 WHIP placed him second, and he held opponents to a .209 batting average, which was fourth-best in the league. He concluded his regular season with a dominant performance against the Albuquerque Isotopes, allowing just two runs in 5 2/3 innings, accompanied by two walks and eight strikeouts.

He displayed remarkable resilience and skill throughout the 2024 season, effectively bouncing back from injury to become a cornerstone asset for the Aces. His strong performances, particularly in the latter half of the season, highlight his current capabilities and his potential as a dominant pitcher in the future. As he looks ahead, a palpable sense of excitement surrounds what lies next for this talented young pitcher.

Season Memberships for the upcoming Reno Aces 2025 season are on sale at RenoAces.com. To purchase a membership, text "MEMBER" to 21003 or call (775) 334-7000.

-ACES-