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. Castellanos is known for his hitting ability and has established himself as a prominent figure in Major League Baseball.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1934: Joined Hank Greenberg

In 2019, Nick Castellanos 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: Joined Joe Medwick

In 2019, Nick Castellanos 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.

2000: Most Doubles Since Todd Helton

In 2019, Nick Castellanos had an MLB-leading 58 doubles, which was the most by any player since Todd Helton's 59 doubles in 2000.

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 highest bonus ever given to a player taken after the first round. The deal was approved just minutes after the deadline.

2010: Drafted by the Detroit Tigers

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

2012: All-Star Futures Game MVP

In 2012, Castellanos played in the All-Star Futures Game, where he was named the game's Most Valuable Player.

September 1, 2013: MLB Debut

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 MLB home run off Josh Beckett of the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. He was later named the Detroit Tigers/Detroit Sports Media Association Rookie of the Year for his performance in the 2014 season.

2014: Starting Third Baseman for the Tigers

After the 2013 season, the Tigers announced they would shift Miguel Cabrera to first base, using Castellanos as their starting third baseman for the 2014 season.

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.

January 13, 2017: Avoided Arbitration with Tigers

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

July 17, 2017: American League Player of the Week

Nick Castellanos earned American League Player of the Week honors for the week of August 13–19. The award was the first weekly honor for any Detroit Tigers player in 2018, and the first since J.D. Martinez won the award for the week ending July 17, 2017.

July 18, 2017: Hit for Cycle

On July 18, 2017, Nick Castellanos hit a single, triple, and two home runs in a game against the Kansas City Royals, becoming the fourth Tigers player to do so since 1913, and the first Tigers player to do so since Dmitri Young in 2003.

September 29, 2017: Recorded 100th RBI of the Season

On September 29, 2017, Nick Castellanos recorded his 100th RBI of the season, becoming the 10th player in Tigers history to drive in more than 100 runs at the age of 25 or younger, and the first player to do so since Miguel Cabrera in 2008. He also became the sixth player in Tigers history to record 10 or more triples, 25 or more home runs, and 100 or more RBIs in a season, and the first player to do so since Al Kaline in 1956.

2017: Career Highs and Defensive Struggles

In 2017, Nick Castellanos finished the season with a .272 batting average, setting career highs in doubles (36), triples (10), home runs (26), and RBIs (101). His 10 triples led the American League. Defensively, he led all third basemen with 18 errors and had a league-worst .939 fielding percentage among qualified third basemen.

2017: Second 100-RBI Season

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

2017: Started Playing Right Field

In early September 2017, with the acquisition of third baseman Jeimer Candelario and the departure of right fielder J. D. Martinez, Nick Castellanos began playing games in right field until the end of the 2017 season.

January 17, 2018: Avoided Arbitration with Tigers

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

August 13, 2018: First Career Five-Hit Game

On August 13, 2018, Nick Castellanos went 5-for-5 with five RBIs, for his first career five-hit game. He became the first Tigers player with five hits in a game since Ian Kinsler in 2015. With two singles, two doubles, and a home run, he also became the first Tiger with 10 total bases in a game since Justin Upton in 2017.

January 11, 2019: Avoided Arbitration with Tigers

On January 11, 2019, the Detroit Tigers avoided arbitration with Nick Castellanos, agreeing on 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: MLB-Leading Doubles

For the 2019 season, Nick Castellanos had a .289 batting average, 27 home runs, 73 RBIs, and an MLB-leading 58 doubles. Castellanos' 58 doubles were the tenth-highest single-season total in MLB history and the most by any player since Todd Helton's 59 doubles in 2000, earning him the nickname "Nicky Two Bags."

2019: Traded to the 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, including an opt-out clause.

August 19, 2020: Home Run During Apology

On August 19, 2020, while Reds broadcaster Thom Brennaman was apologizing for a homophobic slur, Nick Castellanos hit a home run. Brennaman interrupted his apology to call the play, which became an internet meme.

2020: Signed with the Cincinnati Reds

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

July 5, 2021: Home Run During Eulogy

On July 5, 2021, Nick Castellanos hit a home run during a Kansas City Royals' broadcast while they were in the middle of a eulogy for a military veteran.

2021: Free Agency

Following the 2021 season, Nick Castellanos opted out of his contract and became a free agent.

2021: Opted out of Reds Contract

Following the end of the 2021 season, Castellanos opted out of his contract with the Cincinnati Reds.

2021: All-Star Selection and Career Highs

In 2021, Nick Castellanos earned his first All-Star selection and posted career highs in batting average (.309) and home runs (34), while driving in 100 runs. Defensively, he showed improvement with a .991 fielding percentage.

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 Phillies

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

2022: 2022 Season and World Series Last Out

In 2022, Nick Castellanos batted .263/.305/.389 and had the highest percentage of swings at all pitches among major league batters. He was the last out of the 2022 World Series.

2023: All-Star with Phillies

In 2023, Castellanos earned All-Star honors while playing with the Phillies.

2023: Multiple Home Runs in Consecutive Postseason Games

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. However, the Phillies lost the National League Championship Series.

2024: 2024 Season Performance

In 2024, Nick Castellanos played in all 162 games for the Phillies, slashing .254/.311/.431 with 23 home runs and 86 RBI.

June 17, 2025: Benching Incident

On June 17, 2025, Nick Castellanos was benched in the second game of the Phillies' series against the Miami Marlins due to "inappropriate" comments, ending his games started streak at 236.

2025: Released After Four Seasons with Phillies

After four seasons with the Phillies, Castellanos was released after the 2025 season.

2025: Phillies Look to Trade Castellanos

Following the 2025 season, reports indicated that the Phillies looked to deal Nick Castellanos over the offseason after his relationship with manager Rob Thomson deteriorated following the benching incident during the prior season.

2025: Platoon and 250th Career Home Run

In 2025, Nick Castellanos entered a platoon with Max Kepler and hit his 250th career home run. He played in 147 games for the Phillies, slashing .250/.294/.400 with 17 home runs and 72 RBI.