Nick Castellanos signed a long-term deal to play with the Philadelphia Phillies before the start of the season.
The Phillies needed some punch offensively, and Castellanos, known for his potent bat, was supposed to contribute it.
That hasn’t been the case, though, as he has slumped to a .259/.305/.380 line so far in 2022, in 469 plate appearances.
His low home run output (10) tells you everything you need to know about his frustrating season.
That 2022 line is a disappointment if we consider he slashed .309/.362/.576 with 34 home runs and 100 RBI last year.
He was with the Cincinnati Reds back then.
As the Phillies prepare to face the Reds to start this week, Castellanos returned to Great American Ballpark, a place that suited him to perfection for two years: 2020 and 2021.
He took advantage of the opportunity to say hello to some old friends in Cincinnati.
“Nick Castellanos out early in batting practice to greet guys in his first return to GABP,” Cincinnati Enquirer’s Bob Nightengale tweeted.
Nick Castellanos out early in batting practice to greet guys in his first return to GABP. pic.twitter.com/kygJyEzlUy
— Bobby Nightengale (@nightengalejr) August 15, 2022
Castellanos And The Reds Probably Miss Each Other
Castellanos was one of the players the Reds failed to re-sign before the season, part of the talent exodus that went on in Cincinnati that also included Jesse Winker, Eugenio Suarez, Wade Miley, Tucker Barnhart, Amir Garrett, and Sonny Gray.
A few months later, before this year’s deadline, they also dealt pitchers Luis Castillo and Tyler Mahle.
Castellanos was particularly successful as a Reds player in 2020 and 2021.
In 198 games and 827 plate appearances, the slugger hit 48 home runs and drove in 134 runs.
He slashed .284/.343/.550 with a rock-solid .893 OPS.
He is not too skilled with a glove on his hand, but he sure can produce offensively.
Ultimately, he should be able to overcome his season-long slump and return to being an offensive stalwart in Philadelphia.
Things just haven’t gone his way this campaign, though.
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