(Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
The Philadelphia Phillies were hoping the 2022 season would be much better for Nick Castellanos.
He signed with the Phillies last offseason but struggled in his first year with the team.
Castellanos batted .263 with only 13 home runs and 62 RBI on the year.
Also, his OPS was under .700, which is a place he has not been in his entire career.
But what the Phillies hoped for has come true.
Castellanos has been one of their best players this season and he was given a nod to the All-Star Game.
According to Rob Kuestner, Castellanos credits being more comfortable in Philadelphia as a major reason for his success.
Here’s Phillies All Star Nick Castellanos on how being more comfortable has helped him reach his first AS Game as a Phillie. pic.twitter.com/6h5rLUG4BV
— rob kuestner (@rkuestnernbc10) July 2, 2023
This is the second All-Star appearance in three years for Castellanos.
His first came in 2021 when he was a member of the Cincinnati Reds.
Sometimes it takes a player a year in a new city to feel comfortable.
That could be what we are seeing from Phillies shortstop Trea Turner this year.
He is having a down season possibly because it is his first year with the team.
The statistical comparison from last year to this year is night and day for Castellanos.
He hit 27 doubles all of last year and he already has 26 through 81 games.
Also, he scored 56 runs last season compared to the 50 he has scored this year.
The Phillies have benefitted greatly from the contributions of Castellanos.
He has picked up for the struggles of Turner and Bryce Harper.
The Phillies have a record of 44-39 on the season and are in contention for the NL Wild Card.
All they need is to get into the playoffs and another run to the World Series could be in the cards.
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