Alejandro Castro is a sidearm right-handed reliever for the Brooklyn Cyclones. In his second season after signing with the Mets, Castro pitched to a 1-2 record with a 4.82 ERA in 28 innings for the Cyclones in 2016.

Over his minor league career, Castro has pitched 50 innings. In 2015 he pitched for the GCL Mets and in 2016 he pitched for the Brooklyn Cyclones of the New York-Penn League. The 23-year old pitched to a 3.98 ERA over those 50 innings. In that span, he has struck out 41, walked 16 and allowed just two home runs.

MMN – First of all, thanks for taking the time to answer some questions. How did you end up in the Mets organization? How did that process go?

Castro – Well by mid-season at Faulkner University (Montgomery, Alabama) my coach told me that the Mets were interested in me after the draft, I didn’t believe much of it. One Friday before the draft I get a call from my coach Watson and says hey tomorrow you have a tryout for the Mets in Port St. Lucie. I denied the tryout saying I wasn’t ready for it because I was not going to throw 95 mph for the Mets, so it would be useless for them. He hangs up and calls me again with the scout on the line and he asks me again and I say no again, but the scout jumps in the call and says ”hey I don’t need 95, I need outs from you”. I was like oh well this is my opportunity right here.

MMN – When did you notice you had the talent to become a sidearm pitcher?

Castro – As a kid I always threw 3/4, but sometimes I dropped sidearm with two strikes to get a strikeout, and then when I went to Miami Dade College to tryout for Danny Price, he loved when I dropped sidearm. I remember him saying kid you have a great talent but is just going to be from your sidearm delivery, that’s your shot right there.

MMN – You have more success against lefties than righties in your pro career. That’s rare for a right-handed sidearmer. What is working against the lefties and how do you get better against righties?

Castro – This year I promised myself to come better to get lefties out, I thought it would be harder and that it would not be possible but I did it. For me righties are easier outs but this year I put a lot more interest in lefties because that’s the biggest challenge for sidearmers.

MMN – After pitching in the GCL last season you pitched for the Cyclones this season. What were the biggest differences and how did you adjust?

Castro – The biggest difference from the GCL was fanatics, we do not get many fans there. Also the hitters adjust faster than usual, but for me the game just keeps getting better, I think pitching in lower levels is harder because hitters are hungry and they just swing at everything. The game speeds up a little bit but once you get used to it, it is just a lot of fun.

MMN – Your WHIP went down from last season, but you did hit six batters in 28 innings. Is that because you have to adjust being a sidearmer, which takes more time to control?

Castro – This year I thought a lot about mechanics, that was my biggest mistake. Before becoming pro, I never thought about it I just threw the ball to were it needed to be thrown and never even think about mechanics, which I didn’t at the end of the season and it was just fantastic to see myself back at my game again.

MMN – What are you plans for this offseason and what are you doing to prepare for the 2017 season?

Castro – My plans in the offseason are to rest my arm a little bit and prepare myself for a full season club. Baseball is crazy you never know what can happen and were you can end up. Big example Nabil Crismatt started in Brooklyn and ended up in Double-A. So I’m just going to get stronger in my legs, and get better at repeating my delivery.

MMN – Any indication where you will play next season in the Mets organization?

Castro – As I said before I’m preparing myself to play in the big leagues not to make any clubs, but my biggest goal is to make a full season club and show the Mets that I can get outs in tough situations.

MMN – Who is your biggest role model being a sidearm pitcher?

Castro – My biggest role is Darren O’Day sidearm for the Baltimore Orioles, he shows no mercy while pitching there. He is really reliable for the Orioles and he throws with conviction.

MMN – Final question. What will you work on to improve your game next season?

Castro – I will work in attacking hitters a lot faster in the count, and almost never get behind. I’m a ground ball pitcher not a strikeout pitcher, that was one of my mistakes this year also. Next year will be different. I need to work a lot more on my slider that got a lot better with the Brooklyn Cyclones

MMN – Enjoy your offseason and good luck in 2017. Thanks for answering my questions.