A New Chapter for Tim Locastro

Former Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Tim Locastro has taken a significant step in his career, transitioning from playing to coaching. He has officially joined the San Diego Padres’ staff as their baserunning and outfield coordinator. This move marks the end of Locastro’s seven-year Major League Baseball (MLB) career, which spanned multiple teams and showcased his unique talents.

Locastro’s journey with the Padres began when he signed a minor league deal in February 2024, joining the organization’s Triple-A affiliate, the El Paso Chihuahuas. His role as a coach is a natural progression within the team, reflecting his deep understanding of the game and his commitment to developing players.

The Speed That Defined His Career

Throughout his professional career, Locastro was known for his exceptional speed. According to Statcast, his sprint speed of 30.7 feet per second placed him among the fastest players in baseball over the past decade. This speed translated into impressive baserunning success, with Locastro finishing his MLB career with 45 stolen bases in 50 attempts—a remarkable 90% success rate that ranks among the best in modern baseball history.

One of his most notable achievements came in April 2021 when he broke Hall of Famer Tim Raines’ record for the most consecutive stolen bases to start a career without being caught. Locastro reached 29 straight before being thrown out on April 17, 2021. The Baseball Hall of Fame even requested his cleats from that historic game.

A Versatile Player with a Unique Skill Set

” He’s not just fast,” former Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said in 2021, per ESPN. “He’s a good baseball player who’s learned how to hit.”

Locastro’s career spanned 290 Major League games across seven seasons (2017–2023) with the Dodgers, Arizona Diamondbacks, New York Yankees, and New York Mets. He finished his MLB career with a .228/.327/.337 slash line, nine home runs, 38 RBIs, and those 45 stolen bases. While his offensive numbers were modest, his defensive versatility and baserunning prowess kept him on rosters throughout his career.

From Draft to the Majors

Locastro’s professional journey began when the Toronto Blue Jays drafted him in the 13th round of the 2013 MLB Draft. The Dodgers acquired him in a minor league trade in 2015, sending right-handed pitching prospect Chase De Jong to Toronto. He spent two years grinding through the Dodgers’ minor league system before earning a September call-up in 2017.

His 2017 Triple-A season with Oklahoma City was particularly impressive—he posted a .388 batting average with a .987 OPS across 31 games. Despite strong Triple-A numbers, Locastro struggled to gain traction at the MLB level with Los Angeles. He appeared in just 18 games across two seasons (2017–18) with the Dodgers, hitting .182 with a .630 OPS in limited at-bats before being designated for assignment after the 2018 season.

The Diamondbacks claimed Locastro off waivers and gave him his first extended MLB opportunity in 2019. He responded by appearing in 91 games with a .697 OPS and showcased his baserunning skills. The shortened 2020 season saw him post an .859 OPS across 50 games.

A Career Marked by Resilience

Locastro’s production dipped in 2021, leading to a July trade to the Yankees. He spent a season and a half in New York, primarily serving as a pinch-running specialist. The Yankees chose not to extend him a qualifying offer after 2022, and he signed with the Mets for what became his final MLB season in 2023.

Locastro’s transition to coaching represents a new chapter in his career, one that leverages his experience and expertise to help develop the next generation of players. His journey from a draft pick to a coach highlights the dedication and resilience required to succeed in professional baseball.