Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Nick Castellanos

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

Nick Castellanos is a professional baseball player currently playing for the San Diego Padres. Primarily a right fielder and third baseman, he has previously played for the Detroit Tigers, Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, and Philadelphia Phillies. Castellanos is known for his offensive capabilities and has been a significant contributor to each of the teams he has played for in MLB.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

August 15, 2010: Signed with 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 was ultimately approved.

2010: Drafted by the Detroit Tigers

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

2011: Played for West Michigan Whitecaps

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.

2012: All-Star Futures Game MVP

In 2012, Nick Castellanos appeared in the All-Star Futures Game and was named its most valuable player.

September 1, 2013: MLB Debut with Detroit Tigers

On September 1, 2013, Nicholas 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.

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 the Tigers

In 2015, Castellanos' younger brother, Ryan, was selected by the Tigers in the 25th round of the MLB draft, with Nick himself announcing the pick.

2015: First Five-Hit Game Since Ian Kinsler

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

2016: Career Highs Despite Injury

During the 2016 season, Nick Castellanos set career highs with a .285 average, 18 home runs, .331 on-base percentage, and a .496 slugging percentage, despite missing time due to a fractured hand suffered on August 6, 2016.

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, 2018. It was the first weekly honor for any Detroit Tigers player since J.D. Martinez won the award for the week ending July 17, 2017.

2017: 100-RBI Season

In 2017, Castellanos had his first 100-RBI season.

2017: Career Highs and Defensive Struggles

In 2017, Nick Castellanos finished the season with a .272 batting average, setting career highs in doubles, triples, home runs and RBIs. He also led the American League in triples, but struggled defensively, leading all third basemen in errors.

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.

2018: Career Highs and Tiger of the Year

In 2018, 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, the Detroit Tigers avoided arbitration with Nick Castellanos, 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: 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, including an opt-out clause.

August 19, 2020: Home run during Brennaman's apology

On August 19, 2020, while Reds broadcaster Thom Brennaman was apologizing for a homophobic slur, Nick Castellanos hit a home run during the opening game of a doubleheader in Kauffman Stadium. Brennaman interrupted his apology to call the play, resulting in the moment becoming 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 Reds contract, Signed with Phillies

Following the end of the 2021 season, Nick Castellanos opted out of his contract with the Cincinnati Reds and then signed a five-year contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.

2021: All-Star selection and career highs

In 2021, 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 posted an improved fielding percentage of .991.

2021: Opted out of contract

In 2021, 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, Castellanos signed a five-year, $100 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.

2022: End of the World Series

In 2022, Castellanos batted .263/.305/.389. Castellanos was the final out of the 2022 World Series, fouling out to Houston Astros right fielder Kyle Tucker to end game 6 and clinch the series for the Astros.

2023: All-Star Honors with the Phillies

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

2023: Multiple home runs in consecutive postseason games

In 2023, during the National League Division Series, Castellanos became the first player in MLB history to hit multiple home runs in consecutive postseason games. He hit two home runs in each of Games 3 and 4. However, the Phillies lost in seven games to the Arizona Diamondbacks.

2024: Played all 162 games for the Phillies

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 due to "inappropriate" comments, ending his streak of games started at 236. He had brought a beer into the dugout and criticized the manager and coaches.

2025: Signed with the Padres after release

After being released following the 2025 season, Nick Castellanos signed with the San Diego Padres.

2025: Phillies looked to trade Castellanos

Following the 2025 season, the Phillies unsuccessfully looked to trade Castellanos over the offseason after reports indicated that his relationship with Thomson had deteriorated following the benching incident during the prior season.

2025: Platoon with Max Kepler and 250th career home run

In 2025, Castellanos entered a platoon with Max Kepler and lost playing time. On September 19, Castellanos hit his 250th career home run. He played in 147 games for the Phillies in 2025, slashing .250/.294/.400 with 17 home runs, 72 RBI, and four stolen bases.

February 12, 2026: Released by the Phillies

On February 12, 2026, Castellanos was released by the Phillies after four seasons with the team, with the Phillies still owing Castellanos $20 million for the 2026 season.