Tim Locastro

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name = Tim Locastro

|image = Tim Locastro after the conclusion of the game, March 25, 2023 (cropped 2).jpg

|caption = Locastro with the Mets in 2023

|team = San Diego Padres

|number =

|position = Outfielder

|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1992|7|14}}

|birth_place = Auburn, New York, U.S.

|bats = Right

|throws = Right

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate = September 29

|debutyear = 2017

|debutteam = Los Angeles Dodgers

|statyear = 2023

|statleague = MLB

|stat1label = Batting average

|stat1value = .227

|stat3label = Home runs

|stat3value = 9

|stat4label = Runs batted in

|stat4value = 38

|stat5label = Stolen bases

|stat5value = 45

|teams =

Los Angeles Dodgers ({{mlby|2017}}–{{mlby|2018}})
Arizona Diamondbacks ({{mlby|2019}}–{{mlby|2021}})
New York Yankees ({{mlby|2021}}–{{mlby|2022}})
New York Mets ({{mlby|2023}})

|awards =

MLB records

Most stolen bases to begin career without being caught (29-for-29)
Most hit-by-pitches with fewer than 300 plate appearances in a season (22)

}}

Timothy Donald Locastro (born July 14, 1992) is an American professional baseball outfielder in the San Diego Padres organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Arizona Diamondbacks, New York Yankees, and New York Mets. He holds the MLB record for most consecutive successful stolen bases to start a career, with 29.{{cite web|url=https://arizonasports.com/story/2621312/d-backs-tim-locastro-injured-stolen-base-record-ends/ |title=D-backs Tim Locastro injured as MLB stolen base record comes to an end |publisher=Arizonasports.com |date=April 17, 2021 |accessdate=July 8, 2021}}

Early life

Locastro was born in Auburn, New York, on July 14, 1992. He is of Italian and Irish descent and was raised in a churchgoing Roman Catholic home. His family were fans of the New York Yankees and of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team.{{Cite news|work=CBC|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/summer/mike-piazza-manager-italy-national-baseball-team-1.5378329|title=Mike Piazza taking cues from Tommy Lasorda as new manager of Italy's baseball team|date=November 29, 2019|last=Dampf|first=Andrew}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.irishecho.com/2019/7/tim-locastro-brings-his-irish-to-the-game|title=Tim Locastro brings his Irish to the game|date=July 30, 2019|last=O'Neill|first=Max|work=The Irish Echo}}

Career

=Amateur career=

Locastro played high school baseball at Auburn High School in Auburn, New York, and then played college baseball at Ithaca College, where he was the Empire 8 player of the year in 2013 when he set school records for runs and stolen bases.{{cite web|url=http://athletics.ithaca.edu/roster.aspx?rp_id=10176|title=Tim Locastro bio|work=Ithaca College Athletics|access-date=September 30, 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ithaca.com/mobile/sports/leaving-a-mark-departing-athletes-made-an-indelible-impression/article_78179f5e-cd61-11e2-96a9-0019bb2963f4.html|title=Leaving A Mark: Departing athletes made an indelible impression|work=Ithaca.com|first=Steve|last=Lawrence|date=June 5, 2013|access-date=September 30, 2017}}

=Toronto Blue Jays=

Locastro was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 13th round of the 2013 MLB draft{{cite web|url=https://theithacan.org/sports/locastro-selected-in-mlb-draft/|title=Locastro selected in MLB Draft|work=The Ithacan|first=Steve|last=Derderian|date=June 10, 2013|access-date=September 30, 2017}} and signed with them on June 13.{{cite web|url=http://www.pgcbl.com/news/index.html?article_id=1039|title=From Bomber to Blue Jay, Locastro is Living a Dream|work=pgcbl.com|access-date=September 30, 2017}}

Locastro played for the Bluefield Blue Jays of the Appalachian League in 2013, hitting .283 in 43 games.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=locast000tim|title=Tim Locastro Minor & Fall League Statistics & History|work=Baseball Reference|access-date=September 30, 2017}} The following season, he was selected to play in the Northwest League mid-season all-star game,{{cite web|url=http://auburnpub.com/sports/local/auburn-native-tim-locastro-chosen-to-play-in-northwest-league/article_98634e14-8423-5dc9-a11e-bea2079f0522.html|title=Auburn native Tim Locastro chosen to play in Northwest League All-Star Game|date=June 25, 2014|work=The Citizen|publication-place=Auburn, NY|via=auburnpub.com|access-date=September 30, 2017}} and he hit .313 in 67 games for the Vancouver Canadians and also stole 32 bases while being caught only four times. He began the 2015 season with the Lansing Lugnuts of the Midwest League, where he hit .310 with 30 steals in 70 games.

=Los Angeles Dodgers=

File:TimLocastro.jpg]]

Locastro was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers (along with Chase De Jong) on July 2, 2015, in exchange for three international signing slots.{{cite web|url=https://dodgers.mlblogs.com/dodgers-acquire-minor-leaguers-chase-dejong-and-tim-locastro-8cd9b5c778c6|title=Dodgers acquire minor-leaguers Chase DeJong and Tim Locastro|first=Jon|last=Weisman|date=July 2, 2015|access-date=September 29, 2017|work=dodgers.com}} He was assigned to the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes and helped them to the California League championship.{{cite web|url=http://auburnpub.com/sports/local/auburn-native-tim-locastro-still-working-after-winning-minor-league/article_e4ce2822-d465-53b5-b829-b4f5ff5c6580.html|title=Auburn native Tim Locastro still working after winning minor league baseball championship|work=auburnpub.com|first=Jeremy|last=Houghtaling|date=September 24, 2015|access-date=September 30, 2017}} He began 2016 with Rancho Cucamonga again and was promoted mid-season to the Double-A Tulsa Drillers. Between the two teams, he was in 131 games, hitting .285 with 24 steals. The Dodgers assigned him to the Glendale Desert Dogs of the Arizona Fall League after the season.{{cite web|url=http://dodgersdigest.com/2016/09/29/bellinger-verdugo-calhoun-headline-8-headed-to-arizona-fall-league/|title=Bellinger, Verdugo, Calhoun among 8 Dodgers headed to Arizona Fall League|work=Dodgers Digest|first=Chad|last=Moriyama|date=September 29, 2016|access-date=September 30, 2017}} In 2017 he was selected to the Texas League mid-season all-star game{{cite web|url=http://auburnpub.com/sports/local/auburn-native-tim-locastro-selected-as-a-texas-league-all/article_ac0ad4b0-0f83-54a7-89f6-3a1c0f4f1c54.html|title=Auburn native Tim Locastro selected as a Texas League All-Star|date=June 15, 2017|work=The Citizen|publication-place=Auburn, NY|via=auburnpub.com|access-date=September 30, 2017}} and between Tulsa and the Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers, he hit .308 in 127 games with 34 stolen bases.

Locastro was called up to the majors for the first time on September 29, 2017. He was called up to be evaluated for possible use as an impact pinch runner in the playoffs.{{cite web|url=https://www.truebluela.com/2017/9/29/16387016/tim-locastro-major-league-debut-dodgers-okoyea-dickson|title=Dodgers call up Tim Locastro from Triple-A|work=SB Nation|date=September 29, 2017|access-date=September 29, 2017|first=Eric|last=Stephen}} He made his MLB debut that night against the Colorado Rockies, running for Corey Seager in the eighth inning and remaining in the game to play an inning in left field.{{cite news|url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/la-sp-dodgers-rockies-20170929-story.html|title=Dodgers promote speedy Tim Locastro for last-minute playoff audition|first=Andy|last=McCullough|newspaper=LA Times|date=September 29, 2017|access-date=September 30, 2017}} He became the first Ithaca player to play in MLB since Glen Cook appeared in nine games for the Texas Rangers in 1985.{{cite web|title=Ithaca College (Ithaca, NY) Baseball Players|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/schools/?key_school=dfbdcd91#school_batting::3|website=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference, LLC|access-date=December 11, 2017|language=en}} The following day, Locastro again appeared as a pinch runner, and stole third base for his first major league steal.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/COL/COL201709300.shtml|title=Los Angeles Dodgers at Colorado Rockies Box Score, September 30, 2017|work=Baseball Reference|access-date=October 1, 2017}} He did finally get an at-bat, in his third and final appearance for the Dodgers this season, on October 1. He pinch hit against Adam Ottavino and popped out to second.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/COL/COL201710010.shtml|title=Los Angeles Dodgers at Colorado Rockies Box Score, October 1, 2017|work=Baseball Reference|access-date=October 20, 2017}} He was not added to the post-season roster.{{cite web|url=http://www.syracuse.com/sports/index.ssf/2017/10/auburns_tim_locastro_left_off_los_angeles_dodgers_first-round_playoff.html|title=Auburn's Tim Locastro left off Los Angeles Dodgers' first-round playoff roster|date=October 6, 2017|access-date=October 20, 2017|first=Lindsay|last=Kramer|work=Syracuse.com}} Locastro was designated for assignment on November 20, 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/11/dodgers-designate-erik-goeddel-release-tom-koehler.html|title=Dodgers Designate Erik Goeddel, Release Tom Koehler|work=MLB Trade Rumors|first=Jeff|last=Todd|date=November 20, 2018|access-date=November 20, 2018}}

=Arizona Diamondbacks=

File:Tim Locastro (51121856422) (cropped).jpg

The day after being designated, Locastro was traded to the New York Yankees for minor league pitcher Drew Finley and cash.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/yankees/tim-locastro-trade-dodgers-yankees-1.23688594|title=Yankees trade for Dodgers' Locastro|last=Healey|first=Tim|date=November 21, 2018|work=Newsday|access-date=November 21, 2018|language=en}} On January 16, 2019, the Yankees traded Locastro to the Arizona Diamondbacks for minor league pitcher Ronald Roman and cash.{{Cite web |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/diamondbacks-acquire-tim-locastro-yankees-212305090.html |title=Diamondbacks acquire Tim Locastro from Yankees |access-date=January 17, 2019 |archive-date=January 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190117070252/https://sports.yahoo.com/diamondbacks-acquire-tim-locastro-yankees-212305090.html |url-status=dead }}

In 2019, Locastro batted .250/.357/.340, and stole 17 bases without being caught (bringing his career major league record to 22 stolen bases without being caught), leading the major leagues in stolen base percentage.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/MLB/2019-batting-leaders.shtml |title=2019 Major League Baseball Batting Leaders |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |date=January 1, 1970 |access-date=October 7, 2019}} He had the fastest sprint speed of all major league players, at 30.8 feet/second.{{cite web|url=https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/sprint_speed_leaderboard?year=2019&position=&team=&min=10 |title=Statcast Sprint Speed Leaderboard | baseballsavant.com |publisher=Baseballsavant.mlb.com |access-date=October 9, 2019}} He finished the season with a BABIP of .243 on ground balls. He also set the MLB record for most hit by pitches (22, or 8.8%) with fewer than 300 plate appearances, which in turn inflated his on base percentage (.357).{{Citation|title=Why Tim Locastro Should Be Your Favorite Weird Player {{!}} Baseball Bits| date=October 12, 2019 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Iv2VEzSkZc|language=en|access-date=October 15, 2019}}

In 2020 he batted .290/.395/.464 in 69 at bats with 15 runs, two home runs, seven RBIs, and four stolen bases in four attempts, and was hit by pitches four times.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/locasti01.shtml|title=Tim Locastro Stats|website=Baseball-Reference.com}} He had yet to record a caught stealing in his career. He had the fastest sprint speed of all major league players, at 30.7 feet/second.{{cite web|url=https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/leaderboard/sprint_speed?year=2020&position=&team=&min=10|title=Statcast Sprint Speed Leaderboard|website=baseballsavant.com}}

On April 10, 2021, he broke the record for number of stolen bases to start a career without being caught stealing (28), a record previously held by Tim Raines.{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/31234381/tim-locastro-breaks-record-most-stolen-bases-start-career-getting-caught|title=Locastro now 28/28 on stolen bases, setting mark|date=April 11, 2021|website=ESPN.com}} On April 17, Locastro got caught stealing for the first time in his career, being thrown out by Yan Gomes of the Washington Nationals. In the play, he also jammed his finger and was placed on the 10-day injured list after the game{{cite web|author=TC Zencka |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/04/diamondbacks-to-place-tim-locastro-on-injured-list.html |title=Diamondbacks To Place Tim Locastro On Injured List |publisher=MLB Trade Rumors |date=April 17, 2021 |accessdate=July 8, 2021}} and was reinstated May 3.{{cite web|url=https://boxscorenews.com/arizona-diamondbacks-reinstate-locastro-walker-from-the-day-injured-li-p160555-188.htm|title=Arizona Diamondbacks reinstate Locastro & Walker from the 10-day injured list; option Heath & Young to Triple-A

|website=Boxscore World Sportswire}} In 55 games with Arizona in 2021, Locastro slashed .178/.271/.220 with one home run and five RBIs.

=New York Yankees=

On July 1, 2021, the Diamondbacks traded Locastro to the New York Yankees in exchange for Keegan Curtis.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/tim-locastro-traded-to-yankees |title=Tim Locastro traded to Yankees |work=Mlb.com |date= |accessdate=July 8, 2021}} On July 11, Locastro hit his first Yankees home run against Framber Valdez of the Houston Astros. Locastro played in nine games (batting 4-for-21) for the Yankees before suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament while catching a fly ball off the bat of Boston Red Sox outfielder Alex Verdugo on July 17, ending his 2021 season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/07/yankees-tim-locastro-suffers-torn-acl.html|title=Yankees' Tim Locastro Suffers Torn ACL|website=MLB Trade Rumors|date=July 17, 2021 }}{{cite news |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/yankees-tim-locastro-exits-with-apparent-knee-injury/ |title=Yankees' Tim Locastro: Exits with apparent knee injury |website=CBS Sports |date=July 17, 2021}} In 2021, Locastro had the fastest sprint speed of all major league center fielders, and the second-fastest sprint speed in the major leagues, at {{convert|30.7|ft/s|m/s}}.{{Cite web|url=https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/leaderboard/sprint_speed?year=2021&position=8&team=&min=10|title=Statcast Sprint Speed Leaderboard|website=baseballsavant.com}}

On November 5, 2021, Locastro was claimed off waivers by the Boston Red Sox.{{cite news |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/11/red-sox-to-claim-tim-locastro-from-yankees.html |title=Red Sox Claim Tim Locastro From Yankees |first=Anthony |last=Franco |website=mlbtraderumors.com |date=November 5, 2021 |accessdate=November 5, 2021}} However, he was non-tendered on November 30, making him a free agent.{{cite web|last1=Adams|first1=Steve|title=American League Non-Tenders: 11/30/21|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/11/2021-non-tenders-angels-phil-gosselin-royals-richard-lovelady.html|website=MLB Trade Rumors|publisher=|date=November 30, 2021|access-date=November 30, 2021}} On March 13, 2022, Locastro was signed by the Yankees to a one-year major league deal.{{Cite web|url=https://www.syracuse.com/sports/2022/03/yankees-sign-auburn-native-tim-locastro.html|title=Yankees sign Auburn native Tim Locastro|date=March 14, 2022}} He began the 2022 season with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders and was promoted to the major leagues on April 17.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nj.com/yankees/2022/04/yankees-orioles-lineups-sunday-tim-locastro-up-from-minors-and-starting-41722.html|title=Yankees, Orioles lineups Sunday | Tim Locastro up from minors and starting (4/17/22)|date=April 17, 2022}} Playing in 38 games for the Yankees, Locastro batted .186/.239/.349 with 2 home runs, 4 RBI, and 8 stolen bases.{{Cite web|title=Mets sign speedy outfielder Tim Locastro away from Yankees|url=https://nypost.com/2023/01/09/mets-sign-speedy-outfielder-tim-locastro-away-from-yankees/amp/|access-date=May 30, 2023|website=nypost.com|date=January 9, 2023 |language=en}} On November 10, Locastro was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to Triple–A; he subsequently elected free agency.{{Cite web|title=Yankees add a trio of pitchers to major league roster, release Tim Locastro|url=https://www.pinstripealley.com/platform/amp/2022/11/10/23451779/yankees-news-free-agency-roster-cashman-pitching-krook-brito-locastro|access-date=June 30, 2023|website=pinstripealley.com|date=November 10, 2022 |language=en}}

=New York Mets=

On January 9, 2023, Locastro signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets organization with a spring training invitation.{{cite web | url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/new-york-mets-sign-tim-locastro-to-minor-league-deal/ar-AA168phz | title=New York Mets Sign Tim Locastro to Minor League Deal | website=MSN }}{{cite web | title=Mets' Tim Locastro: Lands deal with Mets | website=CBSSports.com | date=2023-01-09 | url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/mets-tim-locastro-lands-deal-with-mets/amp/ | access-date=2025-01-23}} On March 27, the Mets designated Darin Ruf for assignment, clearing the way for Locastro to make the major league Opening Day roster.{{cite web | last=DiComo | first=Anthony | title=Darin Ruf designated by Mets | website=MLB.com | date=2023-03-27 | url=https://www.mlb.com/news/darin-ruf-designated-by-mets | access-date=2025-01-23}} He played in 11 games for the Mets, going hitless in 7 at-bats while appearing mainly as a pinch runner before he was placed on the injured list with back spasms on April 17.{{Cite web|title=Mets' Tim Locastro: Placed on IL with back spasms|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/mets-tim-locastro-placed-on-il-with-back-spasms/|access-date=May 23, 2023|website=cbssports.com|date=April 17, 2023 |language=en}} He began a rehab assignment with the Single-A St. Lucie Mets on April 30.{{Cite web|title=Mets' Tim Locastro: Starting up rehab assignment|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/mets-tim-locastro-starting-up-rehab-assignment/|access-date=May 23, 2023|website=cbssports.com|date=April 30, 2023 |language=en}} He suffered a thumb injury late in his rehab assignment and was placed on the 60-day injured list on May 19.{{Cite web|title=Mets' Tim Locastro: Transferred to 60-day IL|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/mets-tim-locastro-transferred-to-60-day-il/|access-date=May 23, 2023|website=cbssports.com|date=May 19, 2023 |language=en}} It was later revealed that he would undergo surgery to repair a torn UCL in his right thumb.{{Cite web|title=Mets' Tim Locastro: Needs surgery for thumb tear|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/mets-tim-locastro-needs-surgery-for-thumb-tear/|access-date=May 23, 2023|website=cbssports.com|date=May 23, 2023 |language=en}} On August 12, he was activated and slotted in the lineup as the starting center fielder in that day's game against the Atlanta Braves.{{cite web | title=Mets' Tim Locastro: Activated, starting Game 2 | website=CBSSports.com | date=2023-08-12 | url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/mets-tim-locastro-activated-starting-game-2/amp/ | access-date=2024-12-26}} In 43 games for the Mets, he batted .232/.338/.393 with 2 home runs, 3 RBI, and 6 stolen bases. Following the season on November 2, Locastro was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to the Triple–A Syracuse Mets.{{Cite web|title=Mets' Tim Locastro: Lands on outright waivers|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/mets-tim-locastro-lands-on-outright-waivers/|access-date=November 7, 2023|website=cbssports.com|date=November 2, 2023 |language=en}} He elected free agency on November 6.{{Cite web|title=Tim Locastro: Reaches free agency|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/tim-locastro-reaches-free-agency/|access-date=November 7, 2023|website=cbssports.com|date=November 6, 2023 |language=en}}

= San Diego Padres =

On February 28, 2024, Locastro signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres.{{Cite web |last=Adams |first=Steve |date=February 28, 2024 |title=Padres Sign Tim Locastro To Minor League Deal |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/02/padres-sign-tim-locastro.html |access-date=February 28, 2024 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en-US}} In 33 games for the Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas, he slashed .333/.449/.479 with two home runs, 11 RBI, and eight stolen bases. On July 24, Locastro was ruled out for the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery to repair the labrum in his shoulder.{{Cite web|title=Auburn's Tim Locastro out for season after shoulder surgery|url=https://auburnpub.com/sports/professional/mlb/auburn-native-tim-locastro-shoulder-injury-miss-season/article_a4d82c18-48d7-11ef-b614-4fb986e8c428.html|access-date=February 26, 2025|website=auburnpub.com|date=July 24, 2024 |language=en}} He elected free agency following the season on November 4.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2024/|title=Minor League Free Agents 2024|work=Baseball America|date=November 6, 2024|accessdate=November 6, 2024|first=Matt|last=Eddy}}

On February 20, 2025, Locastro re-signed with the Padres on a new minor league contract.{{Cite web|title=Padres Re-Sign Tim Locastro To Minor League Deal|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/02/padres-re-sign-tim-locastro-minors.html|access-date=February 20, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|date=February 20, 2025 |language=en}}