Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Nick Castellanos

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

Nicholas "Nick" Castellanos is a professional baseball player currently with the Philadelphia Phillies. He primarily plays right field, though he has experience at third base. Before joining the Phillies, Castellanos played for the Detroit Tigers, Chicago Cubs, and Cincinnati Reds. He is known for his hitting ability.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1934: 55 Doubles and 25 Home Runs

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: 55 Doubles and 25 Home Runs

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.

1980: Pete Rose's Consecutive Starts

From 1980, Pete Rose made 350 straight starts until 1983 for the phillies.

2000: Most Doubles Since 2000

In 2019, Nick Castellanos' 58 doubles were the most by any player since Todd Helton's 59 doubles in 2000.

2009: Pan American Junior Championships Gold Medal

In 2009, Nick Castellanos played for the United States national baseball team for individuals 18 years of age and under in the Pan American Junior Championships, in which he batted .356 with six doubles and nine RBIs, leading all players with 14 runs scored, as the team won the gold medal. He was named to the All-Tournament team.

2009: Under Armour All-America Baseball Game MVP

In the 2009 Under Armour All-America Baseball Game, played at Wrigley Field, Nick Castellanos won Most Valuable Player honors after scoring three runs, having 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, as the Tigers' email to the office of the Commissioner of Baseball was not received until three minutes after the midnight deadline.

2010: Drafted by the Detroit Tigers

In 2010, Nick Castellanos was drafted out of high school by the Detroit Tigers, becoming a top prospect in baseball.

2011: Minor League Player of the Year

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

May 2012: Tigers' Minor League Player of the Month

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

2012: All-Star Futures Game MVP

In 2012, Nick Castellanos appeared in the All-Star Futures Game and was named its Most Valuable Player.

2012: Outfield Practice

In 2012, Nick Castellanos began taking outfield practice in left field due to Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder blocking him at third and first base.

September 1, 2013: MLB Debut with the Detroit Tigers

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

2013: Shift to Third Base

After the 2013 season, following the trade of Prince Fielder, the Tigers announced that they would shift Miguel Cabrera to first base and use Nick Castellanos as their starting third baseman for the 2014 season.

2013: Toledo Mud Hens

In 2013, Nick Castellanos was optioned to the Toledo Mud Hens of the Class AAA International League where he batted .276 with 18 home runs and 76 RBIs.

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.

2014: Detroit Tigers Rookie of the Year

In 2014, Nick Castellanos was named the Detroit Tigers/Detroit Sports Media Association Rookie of the Year.

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.

2016: Fractured Hand

In 2016, Nick Castellanos set career highs, but on August 6, he was struck by a pitch and fractured the fifth metacarpal bone in his left hand, placing him on the 15-day disabled list and limiting him to 110 games.

January 13, 2017: Avoided Arbitration with Tigers

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

July 17, 2017: Last Tiger Player to win the American League Player of the Week Award

In 2018, Before Nick Castellanos won the American League Player of the Week Award on August 13, the last Tiger player to win the award was J.D. Martinez for the week ending July 17, 2017.

July 18, 2017: Single, Triple, and Two Home Runs

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: 100th RBI of the Season

On September 29, 2017, Nick Castellanos recorded his 100th RBI of the season. He became 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 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: Second 100-RBI Season

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

2017: Career Highs and Defensive Struggles

In 2017, Nick Castellanos finished with a .272 batting average, while setting career highs in doubles (36), triples (10), home runs (26) and RBIs (101). His 10 triples led the American League. He struggled defensively.

January 17, 2018: Avoided Arbitration with Tigers

On January 17, 2018, Nick Castellanos and the Tigers avoided arbitration, 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.

2018: Career Highs and Tiger of the Year

In the 2018 season, Nick Castellanos hit a career-high .298, adding 23 home runs and 89 RBIs. He was named the 2018 Tiger of the Year by the Detroit Chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA).

January 11, 2019: Avoided Arbitration with Tigers

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

July 31, 2019: Traded to the 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, earning him the nickname "Nicky Two Bags."

2019: Defensive Struggles

In 2019, Nick Castellanos posted −9 defensive runs saved, the worst in the major leagues among right fielders, and −4.4 ultimate zone rating, second worst.

2019: Traded to the Chicago Cubs

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

January 27, 2020: Signed with the 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.

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, saying it would make it a 4-0 game. This moment, along with future similar instances, 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, Castellanos hit a home run at Kauffman Stadium while the Kansas City Royals' broadcast was in the middle of a eulogy for a military veteran.

2021: Opted Out of Contract

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

2021: All-Star Selection and Career Highs

In 2021, Castellanos earned his first All-Star selection. By the end of the season in 2021, he posted career highs in batting average (.309) and home runs (34), driving in 100 runs. Defensively, he showed an improved fielding percentage of .991.

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 Philadelphia Phillies

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

2022: 2022 Season and World Series Last Out

In 2022, Castellanos batted .263/.305/.389. He swung at 57.0% of all pitches, the highest percentage in the major league. He was the last out of the 2022 World Series, fouling out to end the game for the Houston Astros.

2023: Home Run Streaks in NLDS and NLCS

In 2023, during the National League Division Series, Castellanos hit two home runs apiece in Games 3 and 4, becoming the first player in MLB history to achieve this in consecutive postseason games. In Game 1 of the National League Championship Series in 2023, he hit a home run in his first plate appearance.

2024: Phillies Season

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

June 17, 2025: Benched for 'Inappropriate' Comments

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