Willians Astudillo Signs With Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks
Free-agent catcher Willians Astudillo has reportedly signed with Nippon Professional Baseball's Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, per a tweet from The New York Post's Jon Heyman on Wednesday morning. The MAS Agency client receives a $1.35M million guarantee with a chance to double that with incentives. Astudillo has appeared in 190 games at the Major-League level since 2018, hitting .267 with a .291 on-base percentage, 16 home runs and a stolen base in 588 plate appearances. He's seen playing time at every position except shortstop and pitcher in his big-league career. Most recently, the 31-year-old hit .241 with a .255 on-base percentage, a home run and a stolen base in 55 plate appearances for the Miami Marlins during the 2022 season. He previously appeared in parts of four seasons for the Minnesota Twins from 2018 through the 2021 season.
Utility man Willians Astudillo is now a free agent after clearing release waivers, according to a tweet from Dustin Morse, of the Twins' Communications department. Astudillo hit .236 with a .259 on-base percentage and seven home runs in 216 plate appearances for the Twins last season. The 30-year-old saw time at catcher, third base, first base, second base, and in the outfield in parts of four seasons in Minnesota. All told, he's turned in an 86 wRC+ in 533 career plate appearances. The Twins' current catching options include Mitch Garver, Ryan Jeffers, and Ben Rortvedt.
Minnesota Twins infielder Willians Astudillo (foot) exited Sunday's game after being hit by a pitch on his foot, according to Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com. Astudillo was down on the ground for a few moments, and then exited the game after speaking with a team trainer. Astudillo has been a decent option in deeper formats, slashing .266/.287/.424 with six homers, 18 RBI and 15 runs scored over 55 games. He was replaced by pinch-runner Andrelton Simmons. There's no word yet on the injury type or severity, and for now managers should consider him day-to-day.
Minnesota Twins infielder Willians Astudillo swatted his sixth homer of the season in Tuesday's win over the White Sox. Astudillo helped spark the Twins to a victory, hitting a go-ahead, two-run shot in the sixth inning to make it a 4-3 lead, one the club wouldn't give up. The 29-year-old has slashed .268/.288/.427 with six homers, 18 RBI, and 15 runs scored in 157 at-bats. Astudillo has amazingly posted just a 6.9 percent strikeout rate along with a 92 percent contact rate, both numbers that would make him a solid asset in points leagues- though he doesn't garner enough playing time to be considered in fantasy.
The Minnesota Twins recalled catcher Willians Astudillo from Triple-A St. Paul on Wednesday after placing outfielder/first baseman Alex Kirilloff (wrist) on the injured list. Astudillo recently was activated from the injured list and optioned to St. Paul, but he's now back in the Show. Minnesota is currently carrying three catchers with Astudillo, Ryan Jeffers and Mitch Garver, who also recently returned from an extended stay on the injured list. Astudillo had a decent .254/.276/.385 slash line with four home runs and 12 RBI in 127 plate appearances this year before his injury, but there's just not enough playing time to go around in Minnesota, and there's a good chance he'll head back to the minors in short order.
Minnesota Twins utility Willians Astudillo (hand) is not in the lineup for Monday's series opener against the White Sox but is available off the bench. Astudillo was hit on the hand by a pitch and had to leave Sunday's game early after experiencing swelling, though the team said it improved from yesterday. That he's potentially able to come off the bench suggests that he could return to action soon. Astudillo owns one of the best contact rates in the majors and is batting .312 through 27 games played.
Minnesota Twins catcher Willians Astudillo (hand) was yanked early from Sunday's contest against the Athletics. Astudillo was hit by a pinch and is now considered day-to-day moving ahead. The 29-year-old is sporting a .316 average to go along with 11 RBI and three home runs this season. He is someone fantasy managers should keep an eye on, especially if he continues to get consistent playing time.
Minnesota Twins utility Willians Astudillo will be behind the plate as the team's catcher for Sunday's game against the Athletics. Astudillo has filled in at catcher as a defensive replacement this year, though this will be his first start of the season as the backstop. The 29-year-old is batting .316 with three homers and 11 RBI this season. He'll bat eighth against Athletics' right-hander Chris Bassitt.
Minnesota Twins utility Willians Astudillo had a three-hit day and drove in a pair of runs in a losing effort to the Rangers on Thursday. Astudillo gave the Twins the lead with a two-run single in the third inning, then collected two more base hits for his fourth multi-hit game of the season. The versatile 29-year-old is now batting .313 this season, and his superb 94.3 percent contact rate supports such production, though Statcast expects some regression to the career mean. Still, Astudillo will be as important a player as ever for the Twins, with Luis Arraez, Alex Kirilloff, and Byron Buxton all banged up.
Willians Astudillo Optioned To Alternate Training Site
Minnesota Twins catcher Willians Astudillo was optioned to the team's alternate training site on Friday evening. The transaction coincides with Mitch Garver's (intercostal, groin) return from the injured list. Astudillo is a fan favorite, but he provides little in the way of fantasy production. Garver will likely see the majority of the playing time behind the plate for the final stretch of the season.
