A metal matrix composite article, comprising: a cast, reinforced body, the body comprising a first region and a second region, the first region having more reinforcement than the second region; a first reinforcement component; a second reinforcement component; a metal matrix composite material occupying the second region of the body and comprising a metal matrix material and the second reinforcement component; a preform positioned in the first region of the body and infiltrated by at least the metal matrix material of the metal matrix composite material, the preform comprising a first end, a second end, an outer surface, the first reinforcement component, the first reinforcement component comprising a density increasing between the first end of the preform and the second end of the preform according to a first gradient, and a porous structure configured to allow passage of the metal matrix material into the preform and to block or reduce passage of the first reinforcement component into the preform; and a transition region of the body located proximate the outer surface of the preform, the transition region comprising a distribution of the second reinforcement component adjacent to the outer surface of the preform, the distribution of the second reinforcement component comprising a density increasing according to a second gradient in a direction toward the outer surface of the preform. a cast, reinforced body, the body comprising a first region and a second region, the first region having more reinforcement than the second region; a first reinforcement component; a second reinforcement component; a metal matrix composite material occupying the second region of the body and comprising a metal matrix material and the second reinforcement component; a preform positioned in the first region of the body and infiltrated by at least the metal matrix material of the metal matrix composite material, the preform comprising a first end, a second end, an outer surface, the first reinforcement component, the first reinforcement component comprising a density increasing between the first end of the preform and the second end of the preform according to a first gradient, and a porous structure configured to allow passage of the metal matrix material into the preform and to block or reduce passage of the first reinforcement component into the preform; and a transition region of the body located proximate the outer surface of the preform, the transition region comprising a distribution of the second reinforcement component adjacent to the outer surface of the preform, the distribution of the second reinforcement component comprising a density increasing according to a second gradient in a direction toward the outer surface of the preform. a preform positioned in the first region of the body and infiltrated by at least the metal matrix material of the metal matrix composite material, the preform comprising a first end, a second end, an outer surface, the first reinforcement component, the first reinforcement component comprising a density increasing between the first end of the preform and the second end of the preform according to a first gradient, and a porous structure configured to allow passage of the metal matrix material into the preform and to block or reduce passage of the first reinforcement component into the preform; and a first end, a second end, an outer surface, the first reinforcement component, the first reinforcement component comprising a density increasing between the first end of the preform and the second end of the preform according to a first gradient, and a porous structure configured to allow passage of the metal matrix material into the preform and to block or reduce passage of the first reinforcement component into the preform; and a transition region of the body located proximate the outer surface of the preform, the transition region comprising a distribution of the second reinforcement component adjacent to the outer surface of the preform, the distribution of the second reinforcement component comprising a density increasing according to a second gradient in a direction toward the outer surface of the preform.