Phillies Outfielder Castellanos Hoping For Offensive Improvement Across The Board

Nick Castellanos was supposed to be a major offensive force for the Philadelphia Phillies last season.

It never quite worked out that way.

Despite a lucrative five-year, $100 million deal, Castellanos struggled through the 2022 season despite a couple of stellar defensive plays in the postseason.

Castellanos slashed .263/.305/.389 with 13 home runs, 62 RBI and a career-low .694 OPS last season.

“Last year, I was just pissed off, unhappy, frustrated,” Castellanos told reporters at spring training in Clearwater, Fla. “Baseball wasn’t fun. It was a job. I’m very lucky that I’ve never worked a day in my life. And to do something that you don’t love doing sucks. What I love doing is playing baseball with my friends and beating the team that’s not wearing the same uniform that we’re wearing. That’s the only thing that I’m worried about. Last year was last year. That’s where it stays -- in last year.”

Struggles aside, Castellanos enjoyed playing for the Phillies and advancing all the way to the World Series.

Now in his second season in Philadelphia, Castellanos is gearing up for a massive improvement.

“I don’t have any expectations, but I’m much more prepared this year than I was last year,” Castellanos said. “I think the only thing I’m really focused on this year is being the best teammate I can be, and not coming up two wins short (of a World Series championship). Everything else is going to fall into place. Expectations, what I’m going to do. Philly doesn’t care what Nick does. Philly cares about what the Phillies do. I’m not coming here thinking I have to be someone. I’m just coming in, ready to play. I’m going to be here for everybody and play baseball.”

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