Luis Castillo (baseball player)

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**Luis Castillo**

Minnesota Twins — No. 1
Second base
Bats: Switch	Throws: Right
Major League Baseball debut
August 8, 1996 for the Florida Marlins
Teams
Florida Marlins (1996–2005)

Luis Antonio Castillo (born September 12, 1975 in San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic) is a Major League Baseball second baseman for the Minnesota Twins.

He was traded to the Minnesota Twins on December 2, 2005, in exchange for two minor leaguers, Scott Tyler and Travis Bowyer. This occurred during the Florida Marlins fire sale after the 2005 season. The Marlins replaced Castillo at second base with Dan Uggla, a Rule 5 selection from the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Castillo is one of four Twins players known for speed and small ball, nicknamed "The Piranhas" by White Sox manager, Ozzie Guillen. The Twins have embraced the term. The other Piranhas are Jason Tyner, Jason Bartlett, and Nick Punto.

In a ten-year career, Castillo has batted .293 with 20 home runs, 271 RBI, and 281 stolen bases in 1,128 games.

In 2002, Castillo had a 35-game hitting streak, which is the longest ever by any Latino player and is also the longest ever by any second baseman. In 2006, Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Chase Utley matched Castillo's 35-game hitting streak.

Castillo was a member of the 2003 World Series Champion Florida Marlins, who defeated the heavily favored New York Yankees.

Castillo was also a member of the 2005 National League All-Star team, and replaced Jeff Kent of the Los Angeles Dodgers at second base in the 2nd inning.