Perryton standout Castillo named to first team

Perryton junior Jonathan Castillo's diverse baseball talents have been recognized at the statewide level.

Castillo, the District 1-3A MVP, was named a first-team Texas Sports Writers Association Class 3A All-State baseball selection on Tuesday. He was also an honorable mention selection at pitcher.

In Perryton's best season in almost a decade, Castillo emerged as a team leader as an underclassman. He hit .476 with 36 RBIs and was just as effective on the mound, going 9-1 with a 2.08 ERA and 60 strikeouts.

"Johnny would be the first one to tell you he's been blessed with some God-given ability, but he made the most of it," Perryton coach Kelly Cowan said. "He was our best pitcher who got the ball in the toughest situations and every time we needed a big knock he was the guy up there. The guys who batted ahead of him deserve some credit for that too."

Castillo was selected as a utility player on the Globe-News Super Team.

Perryton went undefeated in district play and reached the region semifinals of the playoffs.

Castillo wasn't the only Perryton player honored by the TSWA. Senior catcher Garrett Sunday was an honorable mention selection.