The Philadelphia Phillies are attempting to secure the top spot in the National League and make a deep run in October. Nick Castellanos’ position has been very different this year as the team attempts to reach the World Series. Castellanos no longer plays every day for the Phillies. He has spent more time on the bench this season due to a downturn in his offensive performance. He stepped in as a pinch hitter in the sixth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks and finished the game 2-for-3 with three RBI and a homer.
Despite his great performance and hitting his 250th career home run, Castellanos expressed dissatisfaction with manager Rob Thomson. “I don’t talk to Rob very often. When asked if he knew why he isn’t playing as much, Castellanos replied, “I play when he tells me to play and I sit when he tells me to sit,” as shown in a video shared on X by On Pattison. “Communication over the years has been questionable, at least in my experience.” According to a reporter, other players have previously described Thomson’s managerial style as being strong on communication. Castellanos clearly feels otherwise.
“There’s just been times where things have been said, and then over the course of years, I’ll have expectations, because I’ll latch on to what is being said, and actions would be different,” Castellanos stated during the clip. “It’s what it is.” I do anything I can. At the end of the day, we want to win the World Series.”
Castellanos has been extremely blunt with the media this season and throughout his career. He is certainly a player who wants to start every day, but his performance this season has forced Thomson to keep him on the bench. He’ll need to acclimate to his job as a pinch hitter in the final stretch, and Friday’s performance was encouraging.