Nick Castellanos is struggling with his defensive role lately. The Phillies outfielder was taken out during a 2-1 win against the Braves on Friday night.
Manager Rob Thomson commented, “He was close to the last out of the eighth inning. I think we’re at a stage where we need to go all in. It’s about bringing the best team to win that night; we need to check our egos at the door.”
However, Castellanos seems to be taking the change hard. “It’s a big adjustment,” he mentioned after the game, noting that while it’s tough, he’s trying to manage. He added that there was “no conversation” with Thomson prior to this decision.
Still, there were moments where he showed some defensive prowess, including a strong play where he tagged out Matt Olson at home for a double play during a 1-1 game. Though it wasn’t the first time he clashed with Thomson regarding his defensive substitutions this season; back in June, he was removed after making remarks to the manager, which he later admitted crossed a line.
“I understand this decision,” Castellanos said at the time, expressing his frustration about being pulled. “I wasn’t happy about it. I shared my feelings.”
Castellanos has been frequently criticized for his defensive skills, often ranking among the lower tier of outfielders in the major leagues. His defensive metrics this season are underwhelming, with an above-average -12 Outs Above Average (OAA), signaling continued struggles in the field.
