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.
By: Nick Coppola
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]
Every Phillies All Star Since 2000
2023
Nick Castellanos (outfielder)
(Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
2022
Kyle Schwarber (outfielder)
Bryce Harper (outfielder)
(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
2021
JT Realmuto (catcher)
Zach Wheeler (starting pitcher)
(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
2020
MLB All Star Game was cancelled
(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
2019
JT Realmuto (catcher)
(Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
2018
Aaron Nola (starting pitcher)
(Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
2017
Pat Neshek (relief pitcher….it was a down year for the Phils)
(Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)
2016
Odubel Herrera (outfielder)
(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
2015
Jonathan Papelbon (relief pitcher)
(Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)
2014
Chase Utley (second basemen)
(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
2013
Domonic Brown! (outfielder)
Cliff Lee
(Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)
2012
Cole Hamels (starting pitcher)
Jonathan Papelbon (relief Pitcher)
Carlos Ruiz (Catcher)
(Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)
2011
Shane Victorino (outfielder)
Cliff Lee (starting pitcher)
Roy Halladay (starting pitcher)
Cole Hamels (starting pitcher)
Placido Polanco (third basemen)
(Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
2010
Roy Halladay (starting pitcher)
Ryan Howard (first basemen)
Chase Utley (second basemen)
(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
2009
Jayson Werth (outfielder)
Chase Utley (second basemen)
Raul Ibanez (outfielder)
Shane Victorino (outfielder)
Ryan Howard (first basemen)
(Photo by Len Redkoles/Getty Images)
2008
Chase Utley (second basemen)
Brad Lidge (relief pitcher
(Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)
2007
Chase Utley (second basemen)
Cole Hamels (starting pitcher)
Aaron Rowand (outfielder)
(Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)
2006
Chase Utley (second basemen)
Ryan Howard (first basemen)
Tom Gordon (relief pitcher)
(Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
2005
Bobby Abreu (outfielder)
Jimmy Rollins (shortstop)
Billy Wagner (relief pitcher)
(Photo by Ezra Shaw /Getty Images)
2004
Bobby Abreu (outfielder)
Jim Thome (first basemen)
(Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
2003
Randy Wolf (starting pitcher)
(Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
2002
Scott Rolen (third basemen)
Jimmy Rollins (short stop)
Vicente Padilla (starting pitcher)
Mandatory Credit: Ezra O. Shaw /Allsport
2001
Jimmy Rollins (short stop)
(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
2000
Mike Liberthal (catcher)
Mandatory Credit: Donald Miralle/ALLSPORT
