Phillies fans will roll their eyes at Nick Castellanos fueling Padres win of the year

Philadelphia Phillies fans are glad to be rid of Nick Castellanos. The $100 million right fielder was one of the biggest free agent flops in franchise history, and continued to take shots at his former team even on his way out the door. While Castellanos was one of the worst players in all of baseball during his time in red pinstripes, he just delivered his new club, the San Diego Padres, their craziest win of the year on Sunday. It hits a little too close to home for Phillies faithful to see the guy that never treated them right give his new fans something to cheer for. 

Castellanos has not been good in San Diego. Across 25 games with the Friars he’s posted an ugly .192/.231/.329 slash line while being limited largely to pinch hitting and designated hitting duties. The Phillies certainly made the right call cutting bait on the 34-year-old, as his diminished bat can no longer make up for his atrocious defense and baserunning.

However, the cocky Floridian veritably did have a knack for big moments, as evidenced by his bonkers 2023 Divisional Series performance against the Atlanta Braves. That bought him a lot of rope with Phillies brass, and he got away with more than he should have during his four years with the club.

That veteran experience landed Castellanos a gig with the Padres, and he showed just what he can do during an exhilarating come-from-behind win against the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday.

Castellanos entered the contest in the seventh inning as a pinch hitter for second baseman Sung-Mun Song, and remained in the game to play right field. His second turn at the plate came with his team down two runs with one man on in the bottom of the ninth and two outs. He faced off against breakout closer Riley O’Brien, who has been perhaps the best non-Mason Miller reliever in all of baseball this season.

Nick Castellanos comes up clutch... just not for the Phillies

Castellanos quickly got himself into an 0-2 hole and the Padres looked all but done for. He fouled off a couple of pitches and took a few more for balls, working himself a full count. Then, on the ninth pitch of the at-bat, O’Brien threw a 98 mile per hour sinker that Castellanos turned on and launched into the left field seats to tie the game at two runs apiece.

Padres fans went bananas, as did legendary announcer Don Orsillo, and all of a sudden Castellanos’ brutal start to the year was forgotten about. The Friars went on to win the game in extra innings, keeping them tied with the vaunted Los Angeles Dodgers atop the National League West.

It’s bizarre for Phillies fans to see a man who’s still being paid close to $20 million this season by their team have such an electrifying moment in another uniform. One big home run doesn’t change the fact that his blatant insubordination and pathetic performance more than warranted a release, but it still hurts to see the ex that gives them nightmares make his new love feel special.

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