After a cup of coffee with the Los Angeles Dodgers to close out the 2017 season, speedy infielder/outfielder Tim Locastro opened up this year with Triple-A Oklahoma City.
The 26-year-old got off to a great start in April, batting .314/.422/.457 with six extra-base hits and three stolen bases over 84 plate appearances (20 games). His stay at the level was short-lived, as he earned his first of two Major League promotions in May.
Serving as quality outfield depth, Locastro would remain with the Dodgers for two weeks before returning to Oklahoma City. He continued to tear the cover off the ball until an injury sidelined him for the majority of June.
Locastro made his way back in about a month’s time and completed a six-game rehab assignment with Rookie-level Arizona before again going back to Oklahoma City.
He was a mainstay of the OKC Dodgers’ lineup in July and August, thriving at multiple positions as a versatile utility man. Locastro’s success on both sides of the ball helped him secure another stint in the Majors after rosters expanded in September.
Between the two Minor League affiliates, Locastro hit .286/.397/.415 with 23 doubles, three triples, four home runs and 29 RBI across 379 plate appearances (89 games). He stole 19 bases and was caught only three times, while striking out 52 times compared to drawing 31 walks.
With the Dodgers, Locastro batted a mere .182/.357/.273 with an additional four stolen bases across 14 trips to the plate (18 games).
2018 Highlight:
On May 4 — the opener of a three-game series against the San Diego Padres at Estadio de Beisbol Monterrey — Locastro drew his second consecutive start in center field and went 1-for-2 at the plate, recording his first career Major League hit.
Locastro simply being in the lineup that day was historic, as the Dodgers tossed a combined no-hitter against their National League West rival.
2019 Outlook:
Locastro is pre-arbitration eligible this offseason and remains under team control through 2024. With his ability to steal bases and reach base at a high clip, it wouldn’t be surprising if he again sees some time at the Major League level in 2019.
