Jun 20, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Nick Castellanos (8) reacts before the game against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
Rob Thomson spent a good portion of his postgame interview following the Phillies 2-1 win over the Atlanta Braves talking about Nick Castellanos.
The erstwhile Phillies right fielder was 0-for-3 with a walk in the game. It was kind of nondescript offensively.
But that's not why he was talking about him.
No, Castellanos had a solid game defensively. He made four putouts - two in which he had to run a long way to make the catch. He also had an outfield assist, throwing out a runner at the plate, which, in a low-scoring, one-run game was arguably the night's most pivotal play.
"He made that play down the line early and then he made the play in the gap and he made a great throw to the plate," Thomson said. "It was good. he played well. He really did."
This throw by Nick Castellanos was a seed!
(Via @aokstott)
pic.twitter.com/Wi1zdU0LgZ
And then, for only the second time this season, Castellanos was pulled in the ninth inning for a defensive replacement.
"He made near the last out of the last inning, so we defended," Thomson said. "We put (Harrison) Bader out there because he's the best defender we got."
Bader went to center field. Brandon Marsh moved from center to left. Max Kepler moved from left to right.
The last time this happened, in Miami in mid-June, Castellanos voiced his displeasure with Thomson in front of others. It earned him a benching.
Thomson didn't go back to this managerial maneuver again until Friday. The reason, he said, is because the opportunity hadn't presented itself.
"This situation hasn't come up, to tell you the truth," Thomson said.
Ehh.. not sure how accurate that "truth" is.
There've been plenty of close games late with the Phillies protecting the lead since mid-June where Castellanos finished the game. Sure, in some he wasn't one of the last outs, but in some he was - and he still stayed in the game.
The most recent example was last Saturday against Washington.
Leading 6-4, Castellanos made the second out in the bottom of the eighth - same as he did on Friday - and he played the ninth inning in the field.
Last week against Seattle, it was the same situation. He again made the second out in the bottom of the eighth and stayed in for the ninth protecting a 6-4 lead.
Maybe Thomson's plausible deniability could be a one-run lead vs. a two-run lead, but that's marginal, at best.
When asked if Castellanos was open to this strategy, Thomson dodged the question deftly.
"I think we're all at the point now where we're all in and whatever is best for the team to win a game that night, we're all in," he said. "Check your ego at the door and let's go."
As for Castellanos, he wasn't as willing to be as wordy with his answers.
What follows is a transcription from Castellanos' post game interview. The whole interview lasted two minutes, 25 seconds. We omitted two questions at the end that didn't have to do with his defense or playing time. Castellanos was curt with most of his answers - but he was quite honest.
Q: Can you take us through that play where you make the catch in right field and throw out (Matt) Olson at home - kind of what's going through your mind there? It's a big play in the game at the time with the game tied.
NC: Sure. Well, first thing, just get a good jump and catch it and just get set to make the best throw that I can.
Q: You're someone that's used to playing every day. How much of an adjustment has this been recently, not knowing, I guess, day-to-day, or series to series?
NC: Yeah, it's a big adjustment.
Q: Is it difficult for you at this stage of your career, being an everyday guy, to ... kind of adjust in this type of role where you might have a day off here and there?
NC: Yes.
Q: How do you deal with it?
NC: The best that I can.
Q: How did the conversation go tonight when Rob said you weren't going to come out for the ninth inning?
NC: There was no conversation. (First base coach/outfield coordinator) Paco (Figueroa) was the one that told me.
Nick Castellanos on how the conversation with Rob Thomson went when he was informed he was being lifted for a defensive replacement
“There was no conversation. Paco was the one that told me.”
(Via @TimKellySports) pic.twitter.com/AgwqoUfyfC
Q: Nick, you spent a lot of time the last two-and-a-half years working on your mechanics in the outfield. Are you still going through that same pre-game drill and do you think it's sort of smoothed out the edges for a play like the play you had at the plate tonight?
NC: Paco and I have come up with a pretty good routine just to stay sharp on the things that are important - especially being engaged on jumps and stuff. It's credit to him, he's pretty good at his job.
Q: Is the easiest way of getting through the challenges (of not playing, or getting pulled from a game for defense) to sit there and say, "Hey, this is a team thing, and we're all in trying to get to the same goal at the end?"
NC: Yes.
Q: Given those improvements and the game you had defensively - you had a few good plays - is it frustrating when you're not out there in the ninth?
NC: Yes.
Nick Castellanos was asked if it’s frustrating to be replaced defensively in the ninth after having a pretty solid game defensively.
“Yes.”
(Via @TimKellySports) pic.twitter.com/GAmsJQKScn
It's quite apparent that Castellanos is not thrilled with the way he's being used all of the sudden. He's biting his tongue and not criticizing Thomson for these decisions, but it's obvious that it's irking his soul.
In a recent interview with On Pattison, Castellanos said that there remains mutual respect between him and Thomson, even after their blow up in Miami in June.
But Castellanos has been wearing his emotions on his sleeve a little more regularly since this outfield rotation began. It's noticeable.
In a game when he should have been celebrated for his fine defensive work during the eight innings he was on the field, we're left parsing through comments from a player who is clearly grinding his teeth about his new role and situation and wondering what kind of impact that has not only on his game - when he plays - but that of the team around him.
