Whether the Barrie Baycats win a seventh consecutive Intercounty Baseball League championship this year remains to be seen, but what is for sure is they'll try to do it without one of their best players in recent years.
Jordan Castaldo and the Baycats have parted ways, as the IBL’s most valuable player of 2019 heads to Toronto to play for his hometown Maple Leafs.
The all-star infielder applied to the league under the local player rule and was approved. The rule allows players to leave a team and play for the club in their hometown.
BarrieToday reached out to Castaldo, but he was unavailable for comment.
Also leaving the Baycats after last season were manager Angus Roy, catcher Kyle DeGrace and outfielder Glenn Jackson, all of whom retired.
Castaldo’s presence in Barrie is the stuff of legend. He won six championships, was the league’s MVP in the 2014 and 2019 seasons as well as the 2015 playoffs, in addition to winning the 2014, 2018 and 2019 batting title.
In 2019, he also became the first player in Barrie Baycats history to win the IBL Triple Crown for the highest batting average, most home runs, and most runs batted in (RBI) when the 30-year-old Toronto native drove in 47 runs, smashed 15 long balls and had a sparkling average of .453.
When asked about Castaldo's departure, Baycats general manager Josh Matlow declined to comment.
Matlow, who was hired this winter to replace Roy, did say he believes the team will remain competitive this season.
“We have already replaced the core of guys who have left,” said Matlow. “We have signed four massive names in baseball within Canada. We are happy in the direction we are going and fans will be very happy with the product we put on the field.”
Recent signings announced by the club include third-baseman J.T. Patterson, infielder Royce Ando, pitcher Evan Chenier, and catcher Jose Vicente.
The Baycats have also re-signed pitchers Emilis Guerrero, Santos Arias and Brandon Hillier, as well as position players Starlin Rodriguez, Ryan Rijo, Branfy Infante, Carson Burns, Parker Walker, and Jeff Cowan.
The Baycats begin their quest for another IBL championship on Saturday, May 9 at Coates Stadium when they host the Guelph Royals at 2 p.m.
