Congratulations! Nick Castellanos is an All Star!

The announcement came on Sunday that Nick Castellanos, the talented right fielder for our Philadelphia Phillies, had been chosen as a participant in the highly anticipated 2023 All-Star Game. With his exceptional performance, Castellanos earned the distinction of being the sole representative for his team in the prestigious event taking place on July 11 in Seattle. His selection came as a result of being voted in as a reserve.

This will be Castellanos’ second time being recognized as an All-Star in his career. The first instance occurred in 2021 when he showcased his impressive skills while playing for the Cincinnati Reds, batting an impressive .331/.384/.585 in the first half of the season. His remarkable performance included a remarkable .969 OPS and 18 home runs.

In the current year of 2023, Castellanos has continued to deliver outstanding numbers. Throughout 80 games, he has achieved a batting average of .316/.358/.516 with an impressive .874 OPS and 12 home runs. He currently ranks among the top performers in the National League, tying for second place in doubles with 26, and securing third place in batting average with .316. Furthermore, he holds the fourth position in hits, tallying a notable 101.

When reflecting on his season thus far, Castellanos takes immense pride in his consistency. The longest period without a hit for him this year was limited to just four games, spanning from April 2-5. Since then, he has impressively avoided going more than two games without a hit. He attributes his consistent performance to feeling comfortable in his environment. These are just a couple of reasons why Nick Castellanos is an All Star.

“The comfort I feel here plays a crucial role in my success,” Castellanos explained. “Last year, I didn’t feel at ease or relaxed in any aspect of my surroundings. Additionally, establishing relationships with my colleagues, the city, and the media has contributed significantly. I didn’t truly comprehend all of these connections. And for me, everything is interconnected. If I lack harmony in any of these relationships, how can I find it within the batter’s box?”

The news of his selection as an All-Star reached Castellanos on Sunday morning, just before the game.

“I felt elated,” Castellanos expressed with a smile. “It was gratifying. Witnessing the happiness of my coaching staff, teammates, and everyone else meant a great deal to me.”

Frequently seen around the ballpark is Castellanos’ son, Liam. However, an unfortunate conflict arises as Liam has a baseball tournament scheduled during the All-Star week. The elder Castellanos intends to have a conversation with his son to navigate this situation.

“He has experienced an All-Star Game before, but he has never participated in an away tournament,” Castellanos shared. “It should lead to an interesting conversation.”

Castellanos’ teammates were informed about his selection before the game and expressed no surprise. “It’s a no-brainer,” commented infielder Alec Bohm. “He’s undoubtedly one of the premier outfielders in the league. So, it’s fantastic to see. The decision was unquestionably the right one. I’m genuinely happy for him.”

Manager Rob Thomson expressed his pride that Nick Castellanos is an All Star, particularly in light of the struggles he faced during the previous season.

“I am incredibly proud of him,” said Thomson. “After the challenges he encountered last year, enduring a difficult regular season, he has been our most dependable hitter all year. He absolutely deserves this honor. I am genuinely proud and thrilled for him.”

Castellanos expressed his deep appreciation for the honor bestowed upon him. “It is an incredible privilege,” he acknowledged. “To have the opportunity to represent both the city and the team, and to experience this alongside the coaching staff, it is bound to be an enjoyable time.”

So, at least Nick Castellanos is an All Star, and us Phillies fans have a good reason to watch that miserable game. Congratulations Casty!