History of Nick Castellanos in Timeline

Nicholas Alexander Castellanos is an American professional baseball right fielder and third baseman currently playing for the San Diego Padres in Major League Baseball (MLB). Before joining the Padres, Castellanos played for several MLB teams, including the Detroit Tigers, Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, and Philadelphia Phillies. He is recognized for his offensive abilities and has been a consistent presence in MLB lineups since his debut.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1934: One of Three to ever hit 55 doubles and 25 home runs

For the 2019 season, Nicholas 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: One of Three to ever hit 55 doubles and 25 home runs

1956: Sixth player in Tigers history since 1956

In 2017, Nicholas Castellanos 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.

March 4, 1992: Nicholas Castellanos Born

On March 4, 1992, Nicholas Alexander Castellanos was born. He is an American professional baseball player.

2000: Most Doubles since 2000

For the 2019 season, Nicholas 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.

2008: Youngest Player since Miguel Cabrera to drive in 100+ runs

In 2017, Nicholas Castellanos 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.

2009: Pan American Junior Championships Gold Medal

In 2009, Castellanos played for the United States national baseball team at 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 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, Castellanos won Most Valuable Player honors with three runs, four doubles, and three RBIs.

August 15, 2010: Signed with Detroit Tigers

On August 15, 2010, the Detroit Tigers signed Nicholas Castellanos, selected in the first round of the 2010 MLB draft, with a $3.45 million signing bonus. The deal was approved just after the deadline thanks to a text message to Commissioner Selig's office.

2010: Drafted by Detroit Tigers

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

2011: Tigers Minor League Player of the Year

In 2011, while playing for the West Michigan Whitecaps, Castellanos batted .312 with 7 home runs and 76 RBIs, leading the Midwest League with 158 hits. He was named the Detroit Tigers' minor league position player of the year.

May 2012: Tigers' Minor League Player of the Month

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

2012: Outfield Practice

During the 2012 season, Nicholas Castellanos started practicing in left field due to Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder blocking him at third and first base, respectively.

2012: All-Star Futures Game MVP

In 2012, Castellanos participated in the All-Star Futures Game and earned the Most Valuable Player award.

August 2013: Birth of First Son

In August 2013, Nick Castellanos' first son was born.

September 1, 2013: MLB Debut

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

2013: Prince Fielder Traded

After the 2013 season, the Tigers traded Prince Fielder.

2013: Toledo Mud Hens

At the start of the 2013 season, 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. He also appeared in the Triple-A All-Star Game and was named to the International League's post-season All-Star team.

April 9, 2014: First MLB Home Run

On April 9, 2014, Nicholas Castellanos hit his first MLB home run off Josh Beckett of the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium.

2014: Starting Third Baseman

After the 2013 season, the Tigers announced that Miguel Cabrera would move to first base, making Castellanos the starting third baseman for the 2014 season.

July 22, 2015: First Career Grand Slam

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

2015: Marriage to Vanessa Hernandez

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

2015: Brother drafted by Tigers

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

2015: First Tigers Player since Ian Kinsler with five hits in a game

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

2016: Fractured Hand

In 2016, Nicholas Castellanos fractured the fifth metacarpal bone in his left hand after being struck by a pitch. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list and missed about four weeks. Despite the injury, he set career highs in several offensive categories.

January 13, 2017: Avoided Arbitration with Tigers

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

July 17, 2017: American League Player of the Week

In August 2018, Nicholas Castellanos earned American League Player of the Week honors for August 13–19, batting .393 with a .485 OBP, two homers, three doubles, eight runs scored, and ten RBIs. It was the first weekly honor for any Tiger 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 the Cycle

On July 18, 2017, Nicholas 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 since Dmitri Young in 2003.

2017: Career highs and Defensive Struggles

In 2017, Nicholas Castellanos recorded a .272 batting average, while setting career highs in doubles (36), triples (10), home runs (26), and RBIs (101). He also led the American League in triples. Defensively, he led all third basemen with 18 errors and had a league-worst fielding percentage.

2017: 100-RBI Season

In 2017, Nick Castellanos achieved his first 100-RBI season.

2017: Divorce from Vanessa Hernandez

In 2017, Nick Castellanos divorced Vanessa Hernandez.

2017: Father's Cancer Diagnosis

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

January 17, 2018: Avoided Arbitration with Tigers (2018)

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

2018: Tiger of the Year

In the 2018 season, Nicholas Castellanos hit a career-high .298 with 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 (2019)

On January 11, 2019, Nicholas Castellanos and the Detroit Tigers avoided arbitration, 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 Nicholas Castellanos to the Chicago Cubs for Alex Lange and Paul Richan.

2019: Defensive Struggles in 2019

In 2019, Nicholas 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 Chicago Cubs

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

January 27, 2020: Signed with Cincinnati Reds

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

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

On August 19, 2020, during a Reds game, while broadcaster Thom Brennaman was apologizing for a homophobic slur, Nick Castellanos hit a home run. Brennaman interrupted his apology to announce the home run, creating a moment that became an internet meme.

2020: Signed with Cincinnati Reds

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

February 8, 2021: Marriage to Jessica Gomez

On February 8, 2021, Nick Castellanos married Jessica Gomez.

July 5, 2021: Home run during eulogy

On July 5, 2021, Nick 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: Free Agency

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

2021: Opted out of Reds Contract, Signed with Phillies

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

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

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

2021: First All-Star selection and career highs

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

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.

May 2022: Birth of Second Son

In May 2022, Nick Castellanos and Jessica Gomez had a son.

2022: Season Stats and World Series Out

In 2022, Nick Castellanos had a batting average of .263. He had the highest percentage of swings at all pitches in the major league. Castellanos was the final out of the 2022 World Series.

2023: All-Star Honors with Phillies

In 2023, Nicholas Castellanos earned All-Star honors while playing with the Philadelphia 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. He also joined Reggie Jackson as the only players in postseason history to hit five home runs in a three-game span.

2024: Phillies Season

In 2024, Nick 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, Nick Castellanos' third son was born.

June 17, 2025: Benching for Inappropriate Comments

On June 17, 2025, Nick Castellanos was benched due to "inappropriate" comments made about the manager and coaches, ending his streak of games started at 236.

2025: Signed with the Padres

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

2025: Trade Attempts

Following the 2025 season, the Phillies unsuccessfully looked to trade Nick Castellanos during the offseason.

2025: Platoon and 250th Career Home Run

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