NL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES: DIAMONDBACKS VS PHILLIES

October 21, 2023

Miguel Castro

Chase Field

Arizona Diamondbacks

Pregame 5 Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: We'll get started with Miguel Castro.

Q. How does it feel to be part of the bullpen and be trusted for a game like this?

MIGUEL CASTRO: You try to focus on doing your best, so I'm pretty happy that the result was what was expected.

Q. In a moment that is as important as a postseason game is, how are the vibes in between your peers in the bullpen?

MIGUEL CASTRO: Trust is one of the things that has helped us. Also, this is a young group, and there's a lot of energy and positive vibes among the team, so I believe that's something that has helped the whole group.

Q. How much impact Brent Strom has had on your career?

MIGUEL CASTRO: Since day one in Spring Training he's been on top of things, very proactive about talking about sequencing, about what pitches to use, how to execute certain pitches in certain situations.

Q. How about the impact on Gabi Moreno?

MIGUEL CASTRO: It's been a process throughout the year, but in general, the whole bullpen is very happy and comfortable with Gabi. We're pretty happy about having him over.

Q. I know it's been quite a year for you personally, and you reached some really good heights early. A little tough time in the middle, finished strong. You're in your second straight Championship Series. How strong are you feeling now, and do you feel like maybe some of the use early in the season contributed to maybe a little bit of a downturn?

MIGUEL CASTRO: In the offseason you prepare for a long journey, right? The ups and downs are part of the business. I'm very thankful that I've been healthy, and some of the preparation had helped in those regards.

But the point about the ups and downs, it's part of the career. It comes with the business. I'm prepared for it. I've done everything I could possibly do to be ready every single day. So up to his expectations, he's ready to go daily.

Super excited to have the opportunity to be on the second championship. Last year I did it with the Yankees. I'm pretty excited about the opportunity.

Q. How did you develop the changeup, and how does that pitch sort of help make your slider and fastball more effective?

MIGUEL CASTRO: About the midpoint of last season was when I started drastically using it or adding the pitch to my arsenal. I'm to a point that I'm very comfortable and can use it in any situation.

Yeah, it definitely adds more value to the rest of my arsenal.

Q. Coming from New York, you are used to facing big crowds or a lot of fans. What is your opinion about the support that you've had so far?

MIGUEL CASTRO: It's pretty exciting to have this support. We're used to being in big crowds, and it adds another element into our preparation.