Harold Castro signs with KBO’s Kia Tigers

The Kia Tigers of the Korea Baseball Organization have confirmed the four foreign players who will join their team for the 2026 season (h/t to Dan Kurtz from MyKBO). The foursome includes right-handers James nailswho is entering his third year with the Tigers and whose signing was announced last month; right-handed Adam Ollerwho re-signed with the club for a second year; infielder Jarryd Dalea former Padres prospect and Australian Baseball League player who spent 2025 with NPB’s Orix Buffaloes; and utility player Harold Castroa six-year MLB veteran heading overseas for the first time in his career.

Castro, a client of Agency MAS+, worked in the Detroit Tigers organization. He signed as an international free agent from Venezuela in 2010 and eight years later made his big league debut at Comerica Park. During parts of five seasons with MLB’s Tigers, he played in 351 games, appearing at every position except catcher. His .286 batting average was impressive and his defensive versatility was valuable, but that was about all he contributed. He didn’t hit for power, he rarely ran, and his defense performed poorly (albeit in small samples) wherever he played.

Detroit non-tendered Castro after the 2022 season and he signed a minor league deal with the Rockies. The utility man cracked Colorado’s roster out of camp and stuck around all season, though he struggled to hit even at Coors Field. Castro finished with a .589 OPS and 45 wRC+ and produced a -1.5 FanGraphs WAR, third-last among all MLB players in 2023.

The Rockies cut Castro shortly after the season ended, and he would eventually sign with the Toros de Tijuana of the Mexican League. He hit the mark for the Toros in 2024 and even better for Leones del Caracas of the Venezuelan Winter League the following offseason, enough to earn a minor league offer from the Royals for the 2025 season. Despite Castro’s best efforts at Triple-A – 21 home runs, a .307 batting average and a 129 wRC+ in 99 games – he was never called up to the majors. Still, he clearly impressed the Kia Tigers, who signed the 32-year-old to a contract worth $1 million USD through 2026. He replaces Patrick Wisdom on their roster, which was no slouch in his first KBO season, hitting 35 home runs with a 126 wRC+.