Adrian Del Castillo's 3-hit debut and a dominant Brandon Pfaadt led the D-backs over the Cardinals 7-3 on July 19, 2025, providing a spark amid roster news.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
What a whirlwind 24 hours for the Arizona Diamondbacks. On a night that began with news of a massive roster shakeup, including All-Star Ketel Marte heading to the restricted list, the story ended with a spectacular MLB debut and an ace-like performance on the mound. Catcher Adrian Del Castillo introduced himself to the league with a three-hit night, and Brandon Pfaadt was nearly untouchable, leading the D-backs to a resounding 7-3 win over the Cardinals at Chase Field.
Talk about a first impression. Newly called-up catcher Adrian Del Castillo went 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored in his Major League debut, immediately injecting life into the lineup.
The biggest story of the night was undoubtedly the arrival of Adrian Del Castillo. Called up from Triple-A Reno just hours before the game, the 25-year-old catcher played like a seasoned veteran. Stepping into the void left by injuries, Del Castillo immediately made his presence felt, lacing a single in his first at-bat and never looking back. He finished the night 3-for-4, driving in a run and scoring twice, providing a massive spark from the bottom of the order. After slashing .288/.386/.559 in Reno, fans were hopeful, but nobody could have predicted such a poised and productive debut. It was a dream start that couldn't have come at a better time.
While Del Castillo was the feel-good story, Brandon Pfaadt was the unstoppable force. The right-hander was in complete control from the first pitch, carving up the Cardinals' lineup for seven shutout innings. He scattered just four hits, struck out six, and, most impressively, didn't walk a single batter to earn his 10th win of the season. The offense gave him early support, with Geraldo Perdomo knocking in two runs in the second, followed by RBIs from Blaze Alexander and Alek Thomas. But it was Pfaadt who set the tone, silencing St. Louis and giving the bullpen a much-needed light night until a late rally in the ninth.
The on-field success came against a backdrop of significant off-field moves. The team placed All-Star Ketel Marte on the restricted list for personal reasons after a burglary at his home. To fill the gaps, the D-backs called up Del Castillo and reliever Trevor Richards, optioned Tristin English, and signed Sergio Alcantara. The move that solidified Del Castillo's role was the tough news that Gabriel Moreno was transferred to the 60-day IL with his fractured hand, signaling a much longer absence than first anticipated. It's a major test of the team's depth, and Friday night was the first, very successful, exam.
Friday's win was more than just a notch in the standings; it was a powerful display of the 'next man up' mentality. With Marte out and Moreno's return now further away, the team needs players like Del Castillo to continue stepping up. Can this jolt of energy from the farm system propel the team forward? The D-backs showed their resilience, and now all eyes are on how they build on this momentum through a challenging stretch.
