Nicholas Castellanos

Nicholas Castellanos
Castellanos with the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers – No. 9
Third baseman / Right fielder
Born: (1992-03-04) March 4, 1992
Davie, Florida
Bats: Right Throws: Right
MLB debut
September 1, 2013, for the Detroit Tigers
MLB statistics
(through 2018 season)
Batting average .274
Home runs 93
Runs batted in 387
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Nicholas Alexander Castellanos (born March 4, 1992) is an American professional baseball right fielder for the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball (MLB).

Drafted out of high school in 2010, Castellanos emerged as the Tigers' best hitting prospect in the minor leagues, where he mostly played third base and right field. One of the top prospects in baseball, Castellanos appeared in the 2012 All-Star Futures Game, and was named the Most Valuable Player of the contest. He made his MLB debut on September 1, 2013.

Early life

Castellanos was raised by his parents, Michelle and Jorge, in South Florida. His mother's family is based in Michigan.[1] Castellanos attended the American Heritage School in Plantation, Florida, where he played for the school's baseball team. American Heritage won the Florida state championship in his sophomore year.[2] Castellanos transferred to Archbishop McCarthy High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, before his junior year. He was named Gatorade Player of the Year for the state of Florida after finishing his senior season with a .542 batting average, 34 runs scored, 41 runs batted in (RBIs) and 22 stolen bases while leading his team to the Class 4A state championship. In the 2009 Under Armour All-America Baseball Game, played at Wrigley Field, he scored three runs, had four doubles and three RBIs, winning Most Valuable Player honors.[3][4] The Sun-Sentinel named Castellanos the Class 6A-5A-4A Player of the Year.[5]

Castellanos played for the United States national baseball team for individuals 18 years of age and under in the 2009 Pan American Junior Championships, in which he batted .356 with six doubles and nine RBIs, leading all players with 14 runs scored, as the team won the gold medal. Castellanos was named to the All-Tournament team.[6] He committed to attend the University of Miami on a baseball scholarship. He intended to play college baseball for the Miami Hurricanes baseball team in the Atlantic Coast Conference.[6]

Professional career

Minor leagues

The Detroit Tigers selected Castellanos with the 44th pick in the 2010 Major League Baseball Draft.[3] He was rated by Baseball America as the third best power hitting prospect and fourteenth best overall prospect prior to the draft.[7] He slipped because of his commitment to the University of Miami.[5] He signed with the Tigers, receiving a $3.45 million signing bonus, the highest bonus at that point ever given to a player taken after the first round.[7][notes 1] The deal was almost invalidated, as the Tigers' email to the office of the Commissioner of Baseball was not received until three minutes after the midnight deadline on August 15, 2010; a text message about the deal to the Commissioner's Office received at 11:59 convinced the Commissioner to approve the deal.[9]

Castellanos with the Lakeland Flying Tigers in 2012

Though Castellanos played shortstop in high school, the Tigers shifted him to third base as a professional.[10] Castellanos appeared in seven games for the Gulf Coast Tigers of the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League that season. Before the 2011 season, Baseball America rated Castellanos as the 65th best prospect in baseball. He played for the West Michigan Whitecaps of the Class-A Midwest League. With the Whitecaps, Castellanos batted .312 with seven home runs and 76 RBIs,[11] leading the Midwest League with 158 hits and being named the Tigers' minor league position player of the year.[12]

Prior to the 2012 season, Baseball America ranked him as the second best prospect in the organization[13] and 45th best in baseball.[14] The Tigers invited Castellanos to spring training in 2012, and expect to assign him to either the Class-A Advanced Lakeland Tigers of the Florida State League or the Class-AA Erie SeaWolves of the Eastern League.[11] Castellanos began the 2012 season with Class-A Lakeland. He was named the Tigers' minor league player of the month of May 2012.[15] After batting .402 with 32 RBIs in 55 games for Lakeland,[16] the Tigers promoted Castellanos to Erie on June 4.[17][18] Appearing in the 2012 All-Star Futures Game,[19] Castellanos hit a three-run home run, and was named the game's Most Valuable Player.[4] He batted .264 with Erie that year.[20]

Castellanos was blocked at third base by Miguel Cabrera and at first base by Prince Fielder. He has been seen as a potential centerpiece for a trade to acquire a marquee talent.[21] However, the Tigers considered Castellanos untouchable in trade negotiations.[22] Castellanos began to take outfield practice in left field during the 2012 season.[4]

With Castellanos now playing left field on a full-time basis, the Tigers optioned him to the Toledo Mud Hens of the Class AAA International League at the start of the 2013 season.[23] In 134 games for the Mud Hens, Castellanos batted .276 with 18 home runs and 76 RBIs.[24] He appeared in the Triple-A All-Star Game[25] and was named to the International League's post-season All-Star team.[26]

Detroit Tigers

2013

Castellanos fielding for the Tigers in spring training, 2012

When major league rosters expanded on September 1, 2013, Castellanos was among the players promoted to the Tigers,[24] and made his major league debut that day, playing left field.[27] On September 7, Castellanos made his first major league start, and recorded his first major league hit, an infield single, off Danny Duffy.[28] However, he received infrequent playing time, as the Tigers were in a pennant race and manager Jim Leyland preferred to use players with more major league experience.[29] He batted 5-for-18 with the Tigers in 2013.[30]

2014

After the 2013 season, the Tigers traded Prince Fielder.[30] Dave Dombrowski, the general manager of the Tigers at that time, said that they would shift Miguel Cabrera to first base, and use Castellanos as their starting third baseman for 2014.[31][32]

Castellanos hit his first MLB home run on April 9, 2014 off the top of the wall in dead center field off Josh Beckett of the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. He finished his rookie season with a .259 batting average, 11 home runs, 31 doubles and 66 RBIs.[33] He was named the 2014 Detroit Tigers/Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association Rookie of the Year.

2015

On July 22, 2015, Castellanos hit his first career grand slam off Mike Montgomery of the Seattle Mariners.[34] Castellanos hit .255 this season, while slamming 15 home runs and driving in 73.

2016

Castellanos had a breakout season in 2016. Through the All-Star break, he was hitting .302 with 17 home runs and 51 RBIs, while playing as the Tigers' starting third baseman. On August 6, Castellanos was struck by a pitch from New York Mets reliever Logan Verrett, fracturing the fifth metacarpal bone in his left hand. After the game, Castellanos was placed on the 15-day disabled list for the first time in his career, and was expected to miss at least four weeks.[35] Castellanos did not return to the Tigers until the final week of the regular season, entering a September 27 game against the Cleveland Indians as a pinch hitter.[36] During the 2016 season, Castellanos set career highs with a .285 average, 18 home runs, .331 on-base percentage, and a .496 slugging percentage, despite being limited to 110 games.

2017

On January 13, 2017, the Tigers avoided arbitration with Castellanos, agreeing on a one-year contract worth $3 million.[37] On July 18, Castellanos hit a single, triple and two home runs in a game against the Kansas City Royals, becoming the fourth Tigers player to do so since 1913, and the first Tigers player to do so since Dmitri Young in 2003.[38] With the acquisition of third baseman Jeimer Candelario and the departure of right fielder J. D. Martinez, both in July trades, Castellanos began playing games in right field from early September to the end of the 2017 season.[39]

On September 29, Castellanos recorded his 100th RBI of the season. Castellanos became the 10th player in Tigers history to drive in more than 100 runs at the age of 25 or younger, and the first player to do so since Miguel Cabrera in 2008. He became the sixth player in Tigers history to record 10 or more triples, 25 or more home runs and 100 or more RBIs in a season, and the first player to do so since Al Kaline in 1956.[40] Castellanos finished 2017 with a .272 batting average, while setting career highs in doubles (36), triples (10), home runs (26) and RBI (101). His 10 triples led the American League.

2018

On January 17, 2018, the Tigers avoided arbitration with Castellanos, agreeing on a one-year contract worth $6.05 million.[41] On August 13, Castellanos went 5-for-5 with 5 RBIs, for his first career five-hit game. He became the first Tigers player with five hits in a game since Ian Kinsler in 2015. With two singles, two doubles and a home run, he also became the first Tiger with 10 total bases in a game since Justin Upton in 2017.[42] Castellanos earned American League Player of the Week honors for the week of August 13–19. In seven games, he batted .393 with an OBP of .485, and had two homers, three doubles, eight runs scored and ten RBI. The award was the first weekly honor for any Tiger player in 2018, and the first since J.D. Martinez won the award for the week ending July 17, 2017.[43]

Castellanos hit a career-high .298 in the 2018 season, adding 23 home runs and 89 RBI. He finished among the AL leaders in hits (185, third), doubles (46, fourth) and multi-hit games (56, third).[44]

Personal life

Castellanos has a son named Liam born in August 2013.[45] He married Vanessa Hernandez, Liam's mother, in 2015[46] and divorced in 2016. Castellanos' younger brother, Ryan, played college baseball for Nova Southeastern University and was drafted by the Tigers in the 25th round of the 2015 Major League Baseball Draft.[47]

Notes

  1. ↑ The record was surpassed by Josh Bell the following year.[8]

References

  1. ↑ "Castellanos 'coming home' to Tigers | MLB.com: News". Mlb.mlb.com. May 24, 2013. Retrieved September 25, 2013.
  2. ↑ "Detroit Tigers top prospect Nick Castellanos collects first career hit, wants to prove he belongs in majors". MLive.com. September 8, 2013. Retrieved September 25, 2013.
  3. 1 2 MLB.com (June 8, 2010). "Tigers select 3B Nick Castellanos and RHP Chance Ruffin on first day of Draft". MLB.com. Major League Baseball Advanced Media. Retrieved January 25, 2012.
  4. 1 2 3 "At Futures Game, MVP Nick Castellanos talks of left, then homers to center". Detroit Free-Press. July 8, 2012. Retrieved July 12, 2012.
  5. 1 2 Cabrera Chirinos, Christy (June 7, 2010). "Tigers take Archbishop McCarthy's Nick Castellanos with the 44th pick". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved January 25, 2012.
  6. 1 2 Acquavita, Ryan (November 11, 2009). "Castellanos, Jackson headed to UM". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved January 25, 2012.
  7. 1 2 Kornacki, Steve (August 17, 2010). "Tigers sign top three June draft picks Nick Castellanos, Chance Ruffin and Drew Smyly". MLive.com. Retrieved January 25, 2012.
  8. ↑ Cipriano, Guy (August 31, 2011). "High pick to join Spikes | Sports". CentreDaily.com. Archived from the original on May 27, 2012. Retrieved February 8, 2012.
  9. ↑ Henning, Lynn (February 19, 2013). "Tigers top prospect Nick Castellanos veers left to become part of future". The Detroit News. Retrieved February 19, 2013.
  10. ↑ "Why you shouldn't read into Detroit Tigers rookie Nick Castellanos taking grounders at third base". MLive.com. Retrieved September 25, 2013.
  11. 1 2 "Nick Castellanos among 18 players invited to Tigers' major league camp". Detroit Free Press. January 10, 2012. Retrieved January 26, 2012.
  12. ↑ Lowe, John (February 20, 2012). "With Miguel Cabrera at 3B, Nick Castellanos' future with Tigers unclear". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
  13. ↑ Badler, Ben (January 19, 2012). "Detroit Tigers top 2012 prospects". Baseball America. Retrieved January 24, 2012.
  14. ↑ "2012 Top 100 Prospects". Baseball America. February 21, 2012. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
  15. ↑ "Third baseman Nick Castellanos named Detroit Tigers Minor League Player of Month for May". MLive.com. Retrieved June 22, 2012.
  16. ↑ Slagter, Josh (July 12, 2012). "Detroit Tigers' Miguel Cabrera confident Nick Castellanos could make switch to left field". MLive.com. Retrieved July 12, 2012.
  17. ↑ Iott, Chris. "Detroit Tigers promote hot-hitting third baseman Nick Castellanos to Double-A Erie". MLive.com. Retrieved June 22, 2012.
  18. ↑ Iott, Chris. "Detroit Tigers' Dave Dombrowski on Nick Castellanos: 'He is ready for the next challenge'". MLive.com. Retrieved June 22, 2012.
  19. ↑ "Tigers prospects Nick Castellanos, Bruce Rondon selected to play in MLB All-Star Futures Game". MLB.com. Major League Baseball Advanced Media. June 21, 2012. Retrieved June 22, 2012.
  20. ↑ Pora, Chuck (April 10, 2013). "Castellanos prepping for big leagues". Toledo Blade. Retrieved September 25, 2013.
  21. ↑ Slagter, Josh (July 2, 2012). "If Detroit Tigers have interest in Phillies' Cole Hamels, Nick Castellanos the likely trade chip". MLive.com. Retrieved July 3, 2012.
  22. ↑ "Tigers wouldn't part with Nick Castellanos in deal for Gio Gonzalez". The Detroit News. December 7, 2011. Archived from the original on September 8, 2012. Retrieved January 25, 2012.
  23. ↑ Lowe, John (March 19, 2013). "Nick Castellanos proved he could hit, but Tigers' top prospect still sent down with 7 others". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved September 2, 2013.
  24. 1 2 "Nick Castellanos among three Triple-A Toledo players to join Detroit Tigers on Sunday". MLive.com. Retrieved September 2, 2013.
  25. ↑ "Futures Game snub Nick Castellanos among two Toledo Mud Hens named to Triple-A All-Star team". MLive.com. July 3, 2013. Retrieved September 25, 2013.
  26. ↑ "Detroit Tigers prospect Nick Castellanos named International League all-star outfielder". MLive.com. August 27, 2013. Retrieved September 25, 2013.
  27. ↑ "Tigers rookie Nick Castellanos: Major League debut 'a moment you dream about'". The Detroit News. March 9, 2013. Archived from the original on September 27, 2013. Retrieved September 2, 2013.
  28. ↑ "Detroit Tigers rookie Nick Castellanos gets first hit with good friend waiting at first base | Detroit Free Press". freep.com. Retrieved September 25, 2013.
  29. ↑ "Tigers 4, Twins 2: Why the Tigers won on Tuesday night". freep.com. Retrieved September 25, 2013.
  30. 1 2 Miller, Doug (November 22, 2013). "Blocked no more, talented youngsters ready to shine: Tigers' Castellanos, Rangers' Profar among those with apparent clear paths to bigs". MLB.com. Retrieved November 22, 2013.
  31. ↑ Iott, Chris (December 4, 2013). "Dave Dombrowski: Nick Castellanos will start at third base with Miguel Cabrera moving back to first". MLive.com. Retrieved December 4, 2013.
  32. ↑ Perry, Dayn (December 4, 2013). "Dombrowski: Miguel Cabrera to 1B, Nick Castellanos to 3B". CBSSports.com. Retrieved December 4, 2013.
  33. ↑ Fenech, Anthony (February 28, 2015). "Detroit Tigers' Nick Castellanos shows maturity, physically and mentally". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved March 3, 2015.
  34. ↑ Beck, Jason (July 23, 2015). "Castellanos' 1st slam more than memorable". MLB.com. Retrieved July 23, 2015.
  35. ↑ Beck, Jason (August 7, 2016). "Castellanos breaks bone in left hand on HBP". mlb.com. Retrieved August 9, 2016.
  36. ↑ Trister, Noah (September 27, 2016). "Tigers rout Cleveland 12-0, pull within 1 game of wild card". cbssports.com. Retrieved September 28, 2016.
  37. ↑ Beck, Jason (January 13, 2017). "Tigers maintain streak, agree to deals with six". MLB.com. Retrieved January 13, 2017.
  38. ↑ Sipple, George (July 18, 2017). "J.D. who? Nick Castellanos has game-to-remember in Tigers' 9-3 win". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
  39. ↑ Henning, Lynn (September 8, 2017). "Tigers' Castellanos makes move to outfield vs. Jays". The Detroit News. Retrieved September 8, 2017.
  40. ↑ Fenech, Anthony (September 29, 2017). "Detroit Tigers bottled up after hot first inning in 6-3 loss to Twins". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved September 29, 2017.
  41. ↑ Beck, Jason (January 17, 2018). "Tigers avoid arbitration with Iglesias". MLB.com. Retrieved January 17, 2018.
  42. ↑ Beck, Jason (August 14, 2018). "Castellanos busts out with 5 hits, 5 RBIs in win". MLB.com. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
  43. ↑ "Tigers' Nicholas Castellanos named AL Player of the Week". MLB.com. August 20, 2018. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
  44. ↑ "AL Leaders: Multi-hit Games". hosted.stats.com. Retrieved October 1, 2018.
  45. ↑ Navarro, Manny (September 27, 2013). "Tigers' Nick Castellanos excited to face hometown Miami Marlins: Playing against the Marlins will be special for Tigers rookie Nick Castellanos, a former Archbishop McCarthy High standout". Miami Herald. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
  46. ↑ "Nick Castellanos got married!". Bless You Boys. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  47. ↑ Bertha, Mike (June 10, 2015). "Aww, the Tigers let Nick Castellanos draft his little brother in the 25th round of the MLB Draft". MLB.com. Retrieved June 10, 2015.
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