Nick Castellanos had his eye on the Marlins in free agency. Until he talked to Bryce Harper.
A sales pitch from his former Team USA teammate pushed Castellanos to Philly. “If it wasn’t for him, and like saying, ‘Hey, I want you over here, let’s make this happen,’ Who knows?”
Nick Castellanos has made an impression on the Philadelphia community this postseason. From making history on the field to his attitude in the clubhouse, the Phillies fanbase is fully behind the 31-year-old outfielder.
But he didn’t imagine playing for the Phillies when he became a free agent after the 2021 season. He had his eye on his hometown Miami Marlins. But he was approached by an old friend and former Team USA teammate: Bryce Harper.
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“Bryce reached out to me and said, ‘What do you think? I want this, I want you to be here,’” Castellanos said Monday before Game 6 of the NLCS against the Diamondbacks.
“All the sudden it’s midnight, I’m like ‘Alright, take the deal — Philadelphia.’ So sure, I think if it wasn’t for him, and like saying, ‘Hey, I want you over here, let’s make this happen,’ Who knows?”
Castellanos signed a five-year, $100 million contract before the 2022 season. He’s come a long way from his first year with the Phillies, which was considered one of his worst seasons statistically. He had a .263 batting average — after a .309 season with the Cincinnati Reds in 2021 — and had one the highest strikeout rates of his career (27.6%).
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In addition to his five home runs this postseason, Castellanos has been a pivotal figure in the clubhouse. He’s been here before. His first playoff experience came at age 22 with the Detroit Tigers in 2014.
“It’s one of the hardest [things] to do, and that’s enjoy it no matter what,” Castellanos said about what he tells his teammates. “Once it’s gone, it’s gone. Then just relax and be able to simplify the game as best as possible. I’m only focusing on the baseball game.
“I don’t have to give press conferences like this before a regular-season game, so that’s just one of the things that can distract you from what’s important and that’s just paying attention to baseball.”