History of Nick Castellanos in Timeline

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.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1934: Joined Elite Company with 55+ Doubles and 25+ Home Runs

For the 2019 season, 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 Elite Company with 55+ Doubles and 25+ Home Runs

For the 2019 season, 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.

1956: Last Tiger Before Castellanos to Record 10+ Triples, 25+ Home Runs, and 100+ RBIs in a Season

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

March 4, 1992: Nicholas Castellanos Born

On March 4, 1992, Nicholas Alexander Castellanos was born. He is an American professional baseball right fielder and third baseman.

2000: Most Doubles in MLB Since Todd Helton in 2000

In 2019, Nick Castellanos's 58 doubles were the most by any player since Todd Helton's 59 doubles in 2000, earning him the nickname "Nicky Two Bags."

2008: Last Tiger Before Castellanos to Drive in 100+ Runs at 25 or Younger

In 2017, Nick Castellanos became the first player since Miguel Cabrera in 2008 to drive in more than 100 runs at the age of 25 or younger for the Detroit Tigers.

2009: Pan American Junior Championships Gold Medal and All-Tournament Team

In 2009, Nick Castellanos played for the United States national baseball team in the Pan American Junior Championships, batting .356 with six doubles and nine RBIs. He led all players with 14 runs scored, as the team won the gold medal and Castellanos was named to the All-Tournament team.

2009: Under Armour All-America Baseball Game MVP

In the 2009 Under Armour All-America Baseball Game, Nick Castellanos scored three runs, had four doubles and three RBIs, winning Most Valuable Player honors.

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.

May 2012: Tigers Minor League Player of the Month

In May 2012, Nick Castellanos was named the Tigers' minor league player of the month after batting .402 with 32 RBIs in 55 games for Class-A Lakeland.

2012: All-Star Futures Game MVP

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

August 2013: Birth of first son

In August 2013, Castellanos' first son was born.

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: Marriage to Vanessa Hernandez

In 2015, Castellanos married his high school sweetheart, Vanessa Hernandez, who is the mother of his son.

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: Divorce from Vanessa Hernandez

In 2017, Castellanos divorced Vanessa Hernandez.

2017: 100-RBI Season

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

2017: Father's diagnosis with brain cancer

In 2017, Castellanos' father was diagnosed with brain cancer.

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: 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, 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.

February 8, 2021: Marriage to Jessica Gomez

On February 8, 2021, Castellanos married Jessica Gomez.

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.

May 2022: Birth of second son

In May 2022, Castellanos' second son was born.

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.

May 2025: Birth of third son

In May 2025, Castellanos' third son was born.

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.