Tigers option shortstop prospects Willi Castro, Sergio Alcantara to minor leagues

The Detroit Tigers made some more roster moves on Sunday morning, optioning infielder Willi Castro to Triple-A Toledo and shortstop Sergio Alcántara to Double-A Erie. They also assigned outfielder Jacob Robson to minor league camp. Castro and Alcantara are both on the team’s 40-man roster, while Robson was a non-roster invitee. The moves leave the Tigers with an even 50 players in major league camp.

Castro and Alcántara, who sit at No. 12 and 20 on our Bless You Boys 2019 prospect list, respectively, are viewed by many as potential shortstops of the future for the big league club. While they both grade out at least average in the field, Castro projects to wield the better bat among the two after hitting .324/.366/.562 in 114 plate appearances in Erie 2018. Meanwhile, Alcantara is already making an impression on fans and coaches alike with his highlight-reel defense this spring.

Jacob “Maple Hammer” Robson, the No. 16 prospect on our list, went 0-for-10 in his first invitation to big league camp after being selected by the Tigers in the eighth round of the 2016 amateur draft. The speedy outfielder will look to get back on track in Toledo this coming season as he vies for a spot in Comerica Park’s outfield of the future.