We’re far enough into the season that the early numbers are painting a picture, so let’s take a closer look at Nick Castellanos. He’s boasting a .308 batting average with a slugging percentage of .538.
But wait, there’s more. The deeper stats reveal he’s struck out and walked at identical rates, each at 9.3% — which would be career highs for him.
Plus, his chase rate of 29.9% is another personal best on the horizon.
Sure, it’s just 11 games. But for a team like the Phillies, who sought offseason changes in either their roster or approach, Castellanos is leading the charge.
Interestingly, he’s mostly slotted into the five or six spot in the lineup across these early games. It begs the question: is it time to switch things up?
Alongside Kyle Schwarber and Edmundo Sosa, Castellanos has been a standout in the Phillies' offense this year. There's a case for keeping him in his groove, but Castellanos has expressed a preference for hitting higher in the lineup, where he feels better protected. This could not only maximize his potential but also have ripple effects for the team.
And there’s potential for it to also aid Alec Bohm, another right-handed regular. Coming off an offseason filled with trade rumors and questions about his future, Bohm hasn’t had the smoothest start. After a rough performance against Atlanta and a slump that’s seen him collect just four hits in his last 35 at-bats, Bohm’s chasing pitches at a career-high rate of 33.3%.
His body language is also raising eyebrows — reminiscent of last season when trade chatter was rampant. The Phillies stood by his positive attitude in spring training, but Bohm is now facing a true test in these trying times.
No one’s calling for dramatic changes, like a trade or replacing him with Sosa at third base. Maybe, though, a day off or a swap in lineup spots with Castellanos could be beneficial.
Keeping Castellanos later in the lineup could provide the Phillies with some much-needed power in the bottom half, an area where they’ve lacked punch. It’s early days; they’ve only played 11 games. Despite some offensive ups and downs, the Phillies are among the best in the league in batting average, on-base, and slugging percentage—contributing to a strong 8-3 start.
Phillies' manager Rob Thomson has always championed a philosophy of trust and consistency since taking the helm in 2022. He’s not one for knee-jerk reactions.
Last season, he stuck by Castellanos during a slow start, and it paid dividends. Perhaps he’ll give Bohm the same leash to find his groove over the next few weeks.
Yet, there’s a tinge of urgency in Thomson’s early-season decisions, and moving Castellanos up in the lineup could reflect that mindset. His production, both seen in the box score and hidden within advanced metrics, might be too compelling to overlook.
