History of Nick Castellanos in Timeline

Nick Castellanos is a professional baseball player currently playing right field and third base for the Philadelphia Phillies in MLB. He has previously played for the Detroit Tigers, Chicago Cubs, and Cincinnati Reds. Known for his offensive abilities, Castellanos has established himself as a notable player in Major League Baseball.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1934: Joined Hall of Famers

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 Hall of Famers

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.

1956: First to reach milestone since 1956

In 2017, Nick 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, later a professional baseball right fielder and third baseman, was born.

2000: Most Doubles Since 2000

In 2019, Nick 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: First to drive in 100 runs since 2008

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.

2009: Pan American Junior Championships Gold Medal

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

2009: Under Armour All-America MVP

In the 2009 Under Armour All-America Baseball Game, Nick Castellanos won Most Valuable Player honors with three runs, 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 after being drafted in the second round. The deal was approved despite a late email due to a text message confirmation.

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: Tigers Minor League Player of the Year

In 2011, Nick Castellanos played for the West Michigan Whitecaps, batting .312 with 7 home runs and 76 RBIs, leading the Midwest League with 158 hits. He 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 after batting .402 with 32 RBIs in 55 games for Class-A Lakeland.

2012: All-Star Futures Game MVP

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

August 2013: Birth of Son, Liam

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

September 1, 2013: MLB Debut with the Detroit Tigers

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

2013: Toledo Mud Hens

In 2013, Nick Castellanos was optioned to the Toledo Mud Hens, batting .276 with 18 home runs and 76 RBIs. He 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, Nick Castellanos hit his first MLB home run off Josh Beckett of the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. He finished the season as the Detroit Tigers/Detroit Sports Media Association Rookie of the Year.

2014: Starting Third Baseman

After the 2013 season, the Tigers traded Prince Fielder. As a result, for the 2014 season, the Tigers shifted Miguel Cabrera to first base, and used Castellanos as their starting third baseman.

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

2015: Brother Drafted by Tigers

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

2015: First Tigers Player with Five Hits Since 2015

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.

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. He batted .393 with an OBP of .485, two homers, three doubles, eight runs scored, and ten RBI. The award 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: Single, triple, and two home runs in a game

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 accomplish this feat since 1913, and the first since Dmitri Young in 2003.

2017: Divorce from Vanessa Hernandez

In 2017, Nick Castellanos divorced Vanessa Hernandez. He then started dating Jessica Gomez in 2017.

2017: Second 100-RBI Season

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

2017: Career Year

In 2017, Nick Castellanos set career highs with 36 doubles, 10 triples, 26 home runs and 101 RBIs. He also led the American League with 10 triples. After the acquisition of Jeimer Candelario and the departure of J. D. Martinez, Castellanos began playing right field from early September to the end of the season.

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

2018: Tiger of the Year

In the 2018 season, Nick Castellanos hit .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 (2019)

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.

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.

2019: Traded to the Chicago Cubs

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

2019: Worst Defensive Runs Saved

On defense in 2019, Nick Castellanos posted −9 defensive runs saved, the worst in the major leagues among right fielders.

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 apology

On August 19, 2020, during a Reds game, Nick Castellanos hit a home run while Reds broadcaster Thom Brennaman was apologizing for a homophobic slur, leading to 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: Married 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: Opted out of Contract

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

2021: All-Star Selection and Career Highs

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

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

May 2022: Birth of Son, Otto

In May 2022, Nick Castellanos and Jessica Gomez's son Otto was born.

2022: 2022 Season Performance

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

2023: Multiple Home Runs in Consecutive Postseason Games

In 2023, Nick Castellanos hit two home runs in both Games 3 and 4 of the National League Division Series, making him the first player in MLB history to achieve this feat. He also hit a home run in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series. However, the Phillies lost in seven games.