Despite starting this season with a batting average over .300, Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Nick Castellanos sat out yet again on Wednesday afternoon. It was the third time in the last 11 games as he continues to struggle at the plate.
In the first half it truly felt like this year would be different for Castellanos. However, his recent skid, along with the team's surplus of talented veteran outfielders, has made his struggles at the plate even more glaring. It has forced manager Rob Thompson's hand to create an outfield platoon among the four "every day" players in Castellanos, Brandon Marsh, Harrison Bader and Max Kepler.
It seems, based on reports from On Pattison's Tim Kelly, that the decision to sit the struggling Castellanos for Wednesday's win against the Seattle Mariners was to allow Thompson to give a "frustrated" Harrison Bader more consistent at-bats.
Thomson told the Phillies right fielder to "bear with him" as he gives the newly acquired Bader a better chance to adjust to Citizens Bank Park. Even if that means Castellanos won't receive consistent in-game at-bats as often as he has in the past. The team's long-term plan for the outfield is still up in the air.
Phillies manager Rob Thomson was asked about Nick Castellanos not being in the lineup. Thomson indicated it’s part of the rotation of outfielders. He said he considers all of them every day players. He said he can’t predict what the lineup will be like long term. @KYWNewsradio pic.twitter.com/4v6LajIk3S
— Dave Uram (@MrUram) August 20, 2025
Nick Castellanos has played himself into a Phillies' outfield rotation with rough second half
After insisting that Castellanos is the team's everyday right fielder, Topper has had no choice but to "rest" the struggling righty. He has had a rough go of it at the plate, his struggles dating as far back as July this year.
Seeming to constantly struggle, especially with plate discipline, in the latter half of the season, this season is no different. Since the beginning of July, he's slashing .192/.218/.325. That extremely low batting average can be attributed to a high whiff rate, 30.9 percent since Aug. 1, and a high chase rate of 45.8 percent since July 1, equating to an inability to make contact and leading to a 24.4 percent strikeout rate. He struck out only 20 percent of the time through the first three months of the season.
When he makes contact, it's weaker. Through June 30, Castellanos had a 39.4 percent hard-hit rate. Since July 1 it's down to 23.9 percent. He's not producing in the ways he once did, frustrating many with his inconsistency at the plate, usually when the team needs him to be performing at his best as they chase a postseason berth. For the season, Castellanos is down to a .253/.291/.411 slash line with 16 home runs and 61 RBIs.
Castellanos joined the Phillies after opting out of his contract with the Cincinnati Reds following the 2021 season. The then reigning Silver Slugger winner was initially envisioned to be the second "power" righty to balance out the trio of right-hander J.T. Realmuto and lefties Bryce Harper and the newly acquired Kyle Schwarber.
Casty has been a mainstay in the core of the lineup that continues to seek a successful trip to the Fall Classic since their legendary run in 2022. Since then, he has had a couple of seasons with consistent production, but since his All-Star appearance in Seattle during the 2023 season, the right-handed outfielder has struggled to produce as the team and fans would like him to.
He has even had issues with his defensive metrics dropping below average as well. He is contracted with the club through 2026, so if Castellanos cannot turn it around, the potential of seeing him traded before his contract is up could be the next step. The Phillies need to decide what their outfield of the future looks like and whether to move on from their once-coveted veteran outfielder.