Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Nick Castellanos

How Nick Castellanos built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Nicholas Alexander Castellanos is a professional baseball player, primarily a right fielder, currently playing for the Philadelphia Phillies in MLB. He has also played for the Detroit Tigers, Chicago Cubs, and Cincinnati Reds. His career has established him as a prominent figure in professional baseball.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1934: 55 Doubles and 25 Home Runs in Season

In 2019, Nick Castellanos had 58 doubles and 27 home runs and joined Hall of Famers Hank Greenberg (1934) and Joe Medwick (1937) as the only right-handed batters to ever hit 55 doubles and 25 home runs in the same season.

1937: 55 Doubles and 25 Home Runs in Season

1956: 10+ Triples, 25+ Home Runs, 100+ RBIs

In 2017, Nick Castellanos became the sixth player in Detroit Tigers history to record at least 10 triples, 25 home runs, and 100 RBIs in a season, the first since Al Kaline in 1956.

2000: MLB-Leading Doubles

In 2019, Nick Castellanos led MLB with 58 doubles, the most since Todd Helton's 59 doubles in 2000.

2008: 100 RBIs at Young Age

In 2017, Nick Castellanos became the 10th player in Detroit Tigers history to drive in over 100 runs at the age of 25 or younger, and the first to do so since Miguel Cabrera in 2008.

2009: Pan American Junior Championships Gold Medal

In 2009, Nick Castellanos played for the United States national baseball team in the Pan American Junior Championships, where he batted .356 and led the tournament with 14 runs scored, helping the team win the gold medal. He was also named to the All-Tournament team.

2009: Under Armour All-America Game MVP

In the 2009 Under Armour All-America Baseball Game played at Wrigley Field, Nick Castellanos won Most Valuable Player honors with three runs, four doubles, and three RBIs.

August 15, 2010: Signed with the Detroit Tigers

On August 15, 2010, Nick Castellanos signed with the Detroit Tigers, receiving a $3.45 million signing bonus. The deal was almost invalidated due to a late email, but a text message convinced the Commissioner to approve it.

2010: Drafted by Detroit Tigers

In 2010, Nick Castellanos was drafted out of high school by the Detroit Tigers, becoming one of baseball's top prospects.

2011: Tigers Minor League Player of the Year

In 2011, Nick Castellanos played for the West Michigan Whitecaps and led the Midwest League with 158 hits. He batted .312 with seven home runs and 76 RBIs, and was named the Detroit Tigers' minor league position player of the year.

May 2012: Tigers' Minor League Player

In May 2012, Nick Castellanos was named the Detroit Tigers' minor league player.

2012: All-Star Futures Game MVP

In 2012, Nick Castellanos appeared in the All-Star Futures Game and was named the game's Most Valuable Player (MVP).

September 1, 2013: MLB Debut with the Tigers

On September 1, 2013, Nick Castellanos made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut with the Detroit Tigers.

April 9, 2014: First MLB Home Run

On April 9, 2014, Nick Castellanos hit his first Major League Baseball (MLB) home run off Josh Beckett of the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium.

July 22, 2015: First Career Grand Slam

On July 22, 2015, Nick Castellanos hit his first career grand slam off Mike Montgomery of the Seattle Mariners.

2015: Brother Drafted by Tigers

In 2015, Nick Castellanos announced that the Tigers selected his younger brother, Ryan, in the 25th round of the MLB draft.

2015: First 5-Hit Game

On August 13, 2018, Nick Castellanos went 5-for-5 with five RBIs, achieving his first career five-hit game. He was the first Detroit Tigers player with five hits in a game since Ian Kinsler in 2015.

January 13, 2017: Avoided Arbitration with Tigers

On January 13, 2017, Nick Castellanos and the Detroit Tigers avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year contract worth $3 million.

2017: Career Highs, Defensive Struggles, and Position Change

In 2017, Nick Castellanos finished with a .272 batting average, setting career highs in doubles (36), triples (10), home runs (26), and RBIs (101), leading the American League in triples. Defensively, he led third basemen with 18 errors. He also began playing right field in September due to trades.

2017: Second 100-RBI Season

In 2017, Nick Castellanos had his second career 100-RBI season.

January 17, 2018: Avoided Arbitration with Tigers

On January 17, 2018, Nick Castellanos avoided arbitration with the Detroit Tigers, agreeing to a one-year contract worth $6.05 million.

January 11, 2019: Avoided Arbitration with Tigers

On January 11, 2019, Nick Castellanos avoided arbitration with the Detroit Tigers, agreeing to a one-year contract worth $9.95 million.

July 31, 2019: Traded to Chicago Cubs

On July 31, 2019, the Detroit Tigers traded Nick Castellanos to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for Alex Lange and Paul Richan.

2019: Traded to Chicago Cubs

In 2019, the Detroit Tigers traded Nick Castellanos to the Chicago Cubs.

January 27, 2020: Signed with Cincinnati Reds

On January 27, 2020, Nick Castellanos signed a four-year, $64 million contract with the Cincinnati Reds. The contract included an opt-out clause.

2020: Signed with Cincinnati Reds

Before the 2020 season, Nick Castellanos signed a four-year contract with the Cincinnati Reds.

2021: First All-Star Selection and Career Highs

In 2021, Nick Castellanos earned his first All-Star selection. By the end of the season, he achieved career highs in batting average (.309) and home runs (34), along with driving in 100 runs. He also posted an improved fielding percentage of .991, committing only three errors, but had −4 defensive runs saved and a −4.5 ultimate zone rating.

2021: Opted Out of Contract

In 2021, Nick Castellanos opted out of his contract, becoming a free agent.

2021: All-Star, Silver Slugger, All-MLB Second Team

In 2021, Nick Castellanos was selected to play in the All-Star Game, won the Silver Slugger Award, and was named to the All-MLB Second Team.

March 22, 2022: Signed with the Philadelphia Phillies

On March 22, 2022, Nick Castellanos signed a five-year, $100 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.

2022: Season Performance and World Series Last Out

In 2022, Nick Castellanos had a batting average of .263/.305/.389 in 524 at-bats and swung at a high percentage of pitches. He was also the last out of the 2022 World Series, fouling out to Kyle Tucker in Game 6.

2023: Postseason Home Run Records

In the 2023 National League Division Series, Nick Castellanos became the first player in MLB history to hit multiple home runs in consecutive postseason games (Games 3 and 4). In Game 1 of the 2023 National League Championship Series, he joined Reggie Jackson as the only players to hit five home runs in a three-game span. However, the Phillies lost to the Diamondbacks.

2024: Played All 162 Games for the Phillies

In 2024, Nick Castellanos played in all 162 games for the Phillies, with a slash line of .254/.311/.431, along with 23 home runs, 86 RBI, and six stolen bases.