José Castillo Rondón (Spanish pronunciation: [xoˈse kasˈtiʎo]; March 19, 1981 – December 6, 2018) was a Venezuelan professional baseball infielder.

However, his power potential was apparent from the fact that the majority of his extra base hits and home runs were hit the opposite way—including a 445-foot (136 m) blast to center field on July 5, 2004, at Pro Player Stadium – and his minor league statistics indicated that his plate discipline should improve.

He finished with eight home runs, 39 RBI and a .256 batting average, despite missing two months on the disabled list.

In late August, he tore the medial collateral ligament in his left knee during a game against the St. Louis Cardinals and missed the rest of the season.

In the field, he and shortstop Jack Wilson were largely responsible for the Pirates turning more double plays than any National League team except the Cardinals.

The Pirates expected Castillo to be 100% for the start of spring training in February 2006, though he was not able to play winter ball in his native Venezuela.

Castillo's teammates Jason Bay and Freddy Sanchez represented the Pirates in the All-Star Game that year.

With the emergence of infielders Freddy Sanchez and José Bautista, Castillo entered spring training with his role on the team uncertain.

Though he received praise from manager Jim Tracy about his attitude after being left on the bench, Castillo's agent asked the Pirates to trade him due to poor playing time.

On December 24, 2007, Castillo signed a major league contract with the Florida Marlins, but was placed on waivers in the spring.

After his release from Washington, Castillo joined the Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions of the Chinese Professional Baseball League in Taiwan for the 2009 season.

On December 19, 2009, Castillo signed a one-year contract with the Yokohama BayStars of Nippon Professional Baseball.

On March 30, 2011, Castillo signed with the Diablos Rojos del México of the Mexican League.

On March 14, 2012, Castillo signed with the Rojos del Águila de Veracruz of the Mexican League.

[21] He finished the year with Tabasco, playing in 36 games for the club and batting .317/.370/.423 with 3 home runs and 20 RBI.

The driver attempted to avoid them but the vehicle struck a rock and overturned, killing Castillo and Valbuena.

[24] Castillo, Rivero, and Valbuena were members of Venezuelan winter team Cardenales de Lara, and were returning from a game played that day.