PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MAY 6: Nick Castellanos #8 of the Philadelphia Phillies looks on ... [+]
Philadelphia Phillies outfielder, Nick Castellanos, is off to a very rough start to the 2024 season.
The right-handed hitting Castellanos, who turned 32 in March, is in his third season with the Phillies.
In 2022, Castellanos signed a five-year contract with the Phillies, worth $100 million. He is making $20 million this year. He will make $20 million in each of 2025, and 2026.
Castellanos normally hits 6th in the Phillies lineup, a spot with plenty of RBI opportunities in the powerful Phillies batting order.
As play ended May 8, Castellanos was hitting .207, with three doubles, a triple, and two home runs in 152 plate appearances. He has struck out 38 times.
The power isn’t there yet this year.
DETROIT, MI - APRIL 21: Nicholas Castellanos #9 of the Detroit Tigers laughs during a game against ... [+]
About Nick Castellanos:
Nick Castellanos was a Supplemental 1st round draft pick of the Detroit Tigers in the 2010 Major League Baseball Draft.
A shortstop at Archbishop McCarthy High School, Castellanos signed with the Tigers knowing they wanted to covert him to third base. He was signed out of Archbishop McCarthy High School in Southwest Ranches, Florida.
Castellanos was the No. 44 player selected that year.
Castellanos was high on draft boards, as he won the 2009 Under Amour All-American Game home run derby. He then went 4-for-4 with a double in the game.
The Tigers paid Castellanos a signing bonus of $3.45 million. The MLB suggested amount for that particular slot was only $776,700, suggesting how much the Tigers wanted Castellanos.
Castellanos signed with the Tigers two minutes prior to the signing deadline.
Tall and thin, at the time of the draft, there was concern that Castellanos would have trouble hitting inside pitches.
At 6-4, 203 pounds while playing now with the Phillies, Castellanos did, indeed, have trouble making contact in the early days of his career.
Castellanos has struck out more than 120 times in every one of eight seasons in which he had at least 500 plate appearances. In fact, last year, Castellanos struck out 185 times in 671 plate appearances.
Castellanos, however, was named an All Star last season, his second time earning that distinction. He was also an All Star in 2021, when he played with the Cincinnati Reds.
CINCINNATI, OHIO - AUGUST 30: Nick Castellanos #2 of the Cincinnati Reds looks on before the game ... [+]
Busy Career For Castellanos:
The Tigers grew a bit weary with Castellanos at third base. The team moved him to the outfield in 2017, when Castellanos was 25-years-old. He has been an outfielder since.
Stationed predominantly in right field due to his strong right arm, Castellanos has played for the Tigers, the Cincinnati Reds, and now the Phillies in his 12-year career.
On July 31, 2019, the Tigers traded Castellanos to the Chicago Cubs for pitchers Alex Lange, and Paul Richan.
Castellanos signed with the Reds as a free agent on October 31, 2020.
Once again a free agent in 2021, Castellanos signed with Philadelphia during spring training, in March 2022. He has been with the Phillies since.
A powerful hitter, in addition to being an All Star twice, Castellanos also won a National League Silver Slugger with the Reds in 2021.
Philadelphia Phillies' Nick Castellanos looks over before a baseball game against the Los Angeles ... [+]
Castellanos Is Struggling Now:
Coming off a 2023 season when he hit .272, with 37 doubles, two triples, 29 home runs, and 106 RBIs in his 671 plate appearances, Castellanos has hit a major offensive wall so far this season.
Much is expected of the Phillies.
The team has a starting rotation that includes Zack Wheeler, Christopher Sanchez, Aaron Nola, Ranger Suarez, and Taijuan Walker. It is a veteran rotation with experience, and ability.
In addition to Castellanos, the offense includes such notable hitters as Kyle Schwarber, J.T. Realmuto, Bryce Harper, and Alec Bohm.
So far in the young season, Castellanos hasn’t produced the offense expected of a $20 million player.
Sportrac. com lists the Phillies payroll at $245,305,014, which places them only behind the New York Mets, New York Yankees, and Houston Astros for the highest Team Salary Payroll in Major League Baseball.
Might the Phillies consider trading their $20 million a year outfielder? Might Nick Castellanos draw interest from a team convinced this year’s start is only a blip in his MLB path?
For this old scout, the only way Castellanos would be attractive to a contending team would be if the Phillies assumed much of the remaining money Castellanos is owed. That would be the remainder of this year’s salary, and another $40 million left on his contract.
Can Castellanos recover the hitting mechanics that helped earn him his massive contract?
Right now, he is 65 points below last year’s batting average. He is 34 doubles, and 27 home runs below last season’s numbers.
That’s a great deal of catching up to do in the remaining 4.5 months, if Castellanos is to reach his 2023 All Star levels.
With a record of 16-12, the Phillies are leading the National League East.
Without question, they will need every player on their roster to contribute if they wish to hold off the Atlanta Braves, and win the division.
To reach their goals, it seems only natural that the Phillies are dependent upon right fielder Nick Castellanos being a big part of their dynamic, powerful offense.
It just isn’t happening yet.
