Making The Case: Why Nick Castellanos Is The Face Of The 2023 Philadelphia Phillies

Last year the Phillies sent both Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber to the all-star game- in a year when the Phillies caught lightning in a bottle and rode it all the way to a World Series appearance. Ultimately falling to the A.L. Champions, the Houston Astros.

This year the Phillies were off to a similar start as they were last year, disappointing. In an off-season that brought in shortstop Trea Turner (30) from the Los Angeles Dodgers along with starting pitcher Taijun Walker (30) from division rival New York Mets. Both were big-time free agents this past off-season. However, this turnaround has not come from the big names the Phillies brought in.

A major factor in this season’s turn-around has come from the Phillies lone all-star in 2023, Nick Castellanos (31). In the 2022 off-season, the Phillies made some big free agent moves which included signing Castellanos to a 5-year, $200 million dollar deal. In his first year with the team, the then 8-year MLB vet slashed a disappointing .261 average at the plate and just 13 home runs; after coming off a year where he hit a monumental 34 home runs with the Cincinnati Reds.

In turn, earned him a 5-year deal with the Phillies.

Rumors and speculation circled around the Phillies fan base as to why he struggled so much in his first year in red pinstripes. Some said that the fan base was too “tough” for Castellanos to play in a city like this. Even some as far-fetched as he bought Ben Simmons’ old house in New Jersey.

This is all being proved wrong by Castellanos improving his game so much in just 85 games through the season. With a batting average over .300 and he has already hit 13 home runs which was the total amount he hit all of last year. Castellanos's improvement is undeniable.

He admitted in a post-game interview recently with Phillies announcer Tom McCarthy that last year different things affected him and his playing. Those not being the fan base nor living in a former Philadelphia disappointment’s house, but the ups and downs of everyday life.

The fanbase has come to grow a strong liking for the 31-year-old outfielder who consistently improves his offensive and defensive skills each night he takes the field. The fanbase has become so fond of Castellanos that they voted for him to be the team's only all-star this year. As the Phillies look to get into the playoffs and push for another World Series title, the help will most definitely come from right-fielder Nick Castellanos, who is the face of the 2023 Philadelphia Phillies.

[Sources:baseball-reference.com, sports.yahoo.com]

The mid summer classic! Held in the middle of July, the MLB All-Star Game is a staple of the summer time because its time of the year where the four major sports arent active (in meaningful games.) Its when the best of the best get together in a meaningless game where everyone gets to play and most baseball fans dont seem to care.

I think the last time I actually watched the All-Star game was the last year that it counted for something. It was controversial, and many hated it, but the All-Star game deciding home field advantage in the World Series got me to tune in. At the time, the Phillies were good. So I was interested to see if they were to get to the World Series would they have home field advantage or not. Since 2017 the All-Star game hasnt mattered at all and I rarely tune in. But there is a point of pride when your team has multiple representatives.

As I write this (Thursday) there is still time for the Phillies to gain an extra representative because pitchers drop out last minute every year. As of right now the Phillies have one lone representative and its the very deserving Nick Castellanos. Castellanos has had a bounce back season hitting .310/.352/.514 with 40 extra base hits.

So Castellanos will represent the Phillies in 2023 but lets take a look back at the Phillies representatives of the past. Some of these will be a blast from the past since every team needs a representative and there were plenty of seasons where the Phillies were bad.

Nick Castellanos (outfielder)

Kyle Schwarber (outfielder)

Bryce Harper (outfielder)

JT Realmuto (catcher)

Zach Wheeler (starting pitcher)

MLB All Star Game was cancelled

JT Realmuto (catcher)

Aaron Nola (starting pitcher)

Pat Neshek (relief pitcher....it was a down year for the Phils)

Odubel Herrera (outfielder)

Jonathan Papelbon (relief pitcher)

Chase Utley (second basemen)

Domonic Brown! (outfielder)

Cliff Lee

Cole Hamels (starting pitcher)

Jonathan Papelbon (relief Pitcher)

Carlos Ruiz (Catcher)

Shane Victorino (outfielder)

Cliff Lee (starting pitcher)

Roy Halladay (starting pitcher)

Cole Hamels (starting pitcher)

Placido Polanco (third basemen)

Roy Halladay (starting pitcher)

Ryan Howard (first basemen)

Chase Utley (second basemen)

Jayson Werth (outfielder)

Chase Utley (second basemen)

Raul Ibanez (outfielder)

Shane Victorino (outfielder)

Ryan Howard (first basemen)

Chase Utley (second basemen)

Brad Lidge (relief pitcher

Chase Utley (second basemen)

Cole Hamels (starting pitcher)

Aaron Rowand (outfielder)

Chase Utley (second basemen)

Ryan Howard (first basemen)

Tom Gordon (relief pitcher)

Bobby Abreu (outfielder)

Jimmy Rollins (shortstop)

Billy Wagner (relief pitcher)

Bobby Abreu (outfielder)

Jim Thome (first basemen)

Randy Wolf (starting pitcher)

Scott Rolen (third basemen)

Jimmy Rollins (short stop)

Vicente Padilla (starting pitcher)

Jimmy Rollins (short stop)

Mike Liberthal (catcher)