Phillies 2023 report cards: Grading the outfield
By Jake Huber
Nick Castellanos
The 2023 postseason ended on a sour note for the Phillies' right fielder, but when looking back on his overall production, it was a complete 180 from his inaugural 2022 campaign with the team.
In 2023, the second-year Phillie improved his slugging percentage by over 90 points, up to .476 on the year. He hit .272 with 29 home runs and eclipsed the 100 RBI mark for only the third time in his career. Throughout the beginning of the season, he was one of the Phillies' more productive bats, cutting down on the swing and miss/chase rate and working the ball more to all parts of the field.
His moment came in Game 4 of the NLDS against one of the league's top pitchers in Atlanta's Spencer Strider.
NICK CASTELLANOS HAS TWO SONS AT THE BALLPARK
— Philly Sports Sufferer (@mccrystal_alex) October 13, 2023
LIAM
AND SPENCER STRIDER pic.twitter.com/vOxz05GuIe
2023 was a much more Nick Castellanos-type year, another guy who stepped into a bigger role with the injury to Rhys Hoskins. The bopper added the slugging that was missed in 2022 when he had an OPS under .700. He also took a more vocal role in the media and was a complete depiction of what Philly is and what it's all about.
Castellanos had a similar defensive year to the previous one. The coaching staff and analytics department worked hard to place him in positions where he had the best chance to make a play.
The All-Star impressed over the course of 162 and through the first round of the postseason. The 0-21 streak to end the year, however, left a bad taste in the mouths of Phillies fans. If there is one guy who can't wait until next season, it has to be Nick Castellanos.
Grade: B