Versatile Astudillo, a fan favorite with the Twins, making case for spot on Marlins roster
During his days in Minnesota, Marlins bench coach James Rowson used to marvel at the kind of response Willians Astudillo would get from Twins fans.
“There were times where the team would get announced, and Willians Astudillo would come out to a greater standing ovation than Nelson Cruz,” Rowson said, “and you’re standing over here going ‘what the heck?’”
What got the fans’ attention was the way Astudillo, who was often considered “too short” or “too stocky” to be a big-leaguer at 5-9 and 225 pounds, played the game of baseball — at a high level and with high energy.
“Watching him go first to third, watching him come around the bases and here you see this guy and you’re like, ‘Man, this guy doesn’t necessarily follow the prototypical baseball player look, and yet he’s playing so hard,” Rowson said. “He’s running hard. He’s got energy, jumping up and down.’ And the fans really kind of gravitated to him.”
Astudillo, who earned the nickname “La Tortuga,” which translates to “the turtle” in Spanish, has spent his whole career defying people’s expectations.
And now at age 30, Astudillo is again opening eyes as he vies for a roster spot with the Miami Marlins as a non-roster invitee.
Astudillo proved he could do a little bit of everything during his four seasons with the Twins.
He caught, pitched and started at every position except shortstop at least once in a major league game.
The bulk of his playing time in the field has come at catcher (362 1/3 innings over 53 games, including 39 starts), first base (303 2/3 innings over 42 games, including 33 starts) and third base (347 innings over 48 games, including 38 starts).
But at the plate, Astudillo could make an impact as well thanks to an ability to make consistent contact at the plate. Astudillo is a career .270 hitter with 22 doubles, 15 home runs, 66 RBI and 58 runs scored in 169 games. He has put the ball in play in 488 of his 533 career plate appearances (91.6 percent). The other 45 plate appearances: 25 strikeouts, 10 walks, 10 hit by pitches.
“He’s a player who brings a lot of positive energy to the field. You always see him running hard and his cap is always flying off because of the way he has his hair picked up. I think fans get a kick out of that,” infielder Miguel Rojas said. “But the energy he brings to the game and the fact that he can play so many different positions is what fans pick up on and why he’s so liked.”
Rojas, who played against Astudillo in Venezuela before making it to the majors, remembers the way his hustle and different ways of doing things on the field used to thrill fans.
Often when Astudillo chased down fly balls in left field in those days, he would take his cap off and hold it in his right hand while he kept running and made the catch with his left.
Or sometimes the caps or helmets would just fly off when he’d make a running catch or hustle around the bases.
“That’s something I’ve always had in me,” Astudillo said. “I’ve always been one to put 100 percent into everything I do on the field.
“I remember one time (n Venezuela) I robbed Jesus Aguilar of a home run (making a play like that). That was one of the first moments where people took notice that I could play.”
On a Marlins’ team likely to use several players at different positions throughout the season both in the infield and outfield, Astudillo would seem to be a natural fit.
Astudillo would likely project as a do-it-all utility player.
But Marlins manager Don Mattingly said he might also lean on his extensive catching experience if needed.
Astudillo has already caught some Marlins’ pitchers bullpen sessions this spring, and Mattingly said he would likely catch an inning or two in Friday’s exhibition game against the Astros.
“He gives you the value of playing all over and he can hit, and he brings great energy,” Mattingly said. “We’re still talking about a ‘third catcher’ role. Sometimes that’s a luxury and one I’ve never used as a manager. I’ve never gotten to that point, but it could happen and it’s good to know it’s someone who knows how to put the gear on and go back there for an inning if we need him.”
This and that
▪ The Marlins optioned pitchers Edward Cabrera, Braxton Garrett and Tommy Nance to Triple-A Jacksonville on Thursday night. Cabrera pitched in one Grapefruit League game and struck out three over three hitless innings with one walk. Garrett did not pitch in a Grapefruit League game. Nance was claimed off waivers earlier this week but has yet to pitch in a game.
▪ Mattingly said outfielder Jesus Sanchez participated fully in workouts on Thursday and barring a new setback expected him to be able to return to the lineup for Friday’s game. Sanchez has been held out since Tuesday due to unspecified soreness.
▪ Elieser Hernandez pitched against the Cardinals’ Triple-A team on one of the back fields at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium on Thursday. Hernandez pitched four innings and allowed three runs on five hits on 61 pitches. He struck out four and did not issue a walk.
This story was originally published March 31, 2022 at 6:56 PM.
