The six starts that defined Luis Castillo’s six seasons with the Cincinnati Reds

Luis Castillo was one of the most accomplished starting pitchers in recent Cincinnati Reds history, but that era came to an end when he was traded to the Seattle Mariners on Friday for four prospects.

Castillo closed his six-year Reds career with a 44-53 record and a 3.62 ERA through 137 starts. He was a two-time All-Star and the Mariners traded for him with the expectation that he’s hitting his prime. Castillo, who won’t reach free agency until after the 2023 season, was statistically the franchise’s best pitcher since Johnny Cueto.

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There are only three Reds pitchers who posted an ERA below 3.80 in more than 500 innings across the last two decades: Mat Latos, Cueto and Castillo.

Castillo, beloved by teammates for his positive and steady personality, said multiple times Friday that he didn’t want to leave. He enjoyed pitching for the Reds, the team that gave him his first opportunity in the big leagues after acquiring him from the Miami Marlins in a lopsided trade for Dan Straily.

The Reds, more than 20 games below .500, are in a rebuild and aren’t in position to capitalize on Castillo’s pitching.

Still, he was a part of many big moments in Reds history throughout his six seasons. Here’s a look at six of Castillo’s most memorable starts in his Reds career:

6. Castillo flashes his potential in third career start

After three solid, yet unspectacular, starts to begin Castillo’s Major League career, he showcased what he was about in a dominant performance against the Arizona Diamondbacks. In his fourth career start, Castillo pitched 6 2/3 shutout innings.

“That reminds me of Cueto,” former Reds shortstop Zack Cozart said afterward.

Castillo allowed three hits and one walk while striking out eight. His fastball topped out at 101 mph and his changeup was a dominant weapon.

“More than anything, he exudes a confidence out there,” former Reds Manager Bryan Price said.

5. Impressive playoff debut ends in loss

Pitching in Game 2 of the Wild Card Series in 2020, Castillo gave the Reds every opportunity to extend their stay in the postseason. Castillo was credited with the loss, but he was excellent against an Atlanta lineup that advanced to the National League Championship Series.

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Castillo, in his first playoff start, yielded six hits and one run across 5 1/3 innings while striking out seven. What stood out is he knew he had to be near perfect with the Reds’ struggling offense and he was close to that level.

4. Castillo silences the Yankees in the Bronx

With trade rumors swirling around Castillo, he showed why he was the best pitcher available this summer. Castillo shutdown a potent Yankees lineup at Yankee Stadium, carrying a no-hitter into the sixth inning.

Castillo allowed two hits and one run across seven innings. The run scored on an infield single. He struck out eight and walked four, his performance hitting a peak level when he struck out DJ LeMahieu with a 97-mph fastball to strand two runners on base with his 114th pitch.

"He asked me after the game if I was nervous while I was watching him," Reds Manager David Bell said, laughing at the memory. "Absolutely not. There is nobody that I’d rather have out there at any point and he knows that."

In Castillo’s last six starts with the Reds, he posted a 1.59 ERA with 41 strikeouts in 34 innings.

3. Shutting down Dodgers to keep playoff hopes alive

With the Reds attempting to stay afloat in the wild-card race at the end of the 2021 season, Castillo gave them a big boost against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He pitched 6 1/3 scoreless innings, striking out 10 and walking two while permitting five hits.

It was billed as a potential playoff preview and Castillo showed the Reds could compete with anyone when he was on the mound.

"I told Luis that I've seen him pitch a lot of great games, but tonight was my favorite," Bell said.

Castillo hit 100 mph with his fastball. Dodgers hitters whiffed on 11 of their 26 swings against his changeup.

“That’s one of my favorite starts I’ve seen any pitcher have,” shortstop Kyle Farmer said.

2. Castillo backs up his first selection to the All-Star team

Castillo was named to his first All-Star team in 2019 and he made his last start before the All-Star break count in a big way. Castillo carried a no-hit bid against the Milwaukee Brewers into the seventh inning, broken up by a one-out single by Keston Hiura.

It was one of those vintage performances where hitters looked foolish against his changeup all game. If it wasn’t for a rain delay in the eighth inning, Castillo had a chance at pitching a complete game shutout.

"Not only the whole year, I think it’s the best outing in all my career," said Castillo, who allowed one hit in 7 2/3 innings while striking out nine. He was charged with a walk, though he was mid at-bat when the game entered a rain delay and a reliever completed the at-bat with a walk.

1. Castillo pitches first complete game to help Reds end playoff drought

The best way to describe Castillo’s impact with the Reds was his start on Sept. 11, 2020 in St. Louis. A four-hour night game in Chicago, plus a 75-minute rain delay, meant the team didn’t land in St. Louis until 4:15 a.m.

The Reds had their back to the wall in the playoff race, trying to rebound from a slow start in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, and the travel made it an even bigger challenge. Castillo put the team on his back and responded with the first complete game of his career.

Castillo allowed two hits and one run across nine innings in a 3-1 win. Some players pointed toward Castillo’s start as the turning point when they went on a hot streak over the final two weeks of the season and ended a seven-year playoff drought.

“You know, sometimes a pitcher has a way of owning the energy of the game,” Joey Votto said. “He had that tonight, for sure. It was his game.”

Castillo, who kept the ball from the final out, dedicated the start to his family in his postgame press conference.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Luis Castillo traded to Mariners: The starts that defined Reds career