Philadelphia Phillies' Top Bounce-Back Candidate For 2023

In the case of the Philadelphia Phillies, not a lot went wrong in 2022. Their exciting run to the National League pennant and an appearance in the World Series left everyone with a good feeling. Yes, even Nick Castellanos. 

The Phillies' outfielder signed a 5-year, $100M free agent contract with the team, then proceeded to have his worst season since his rookie year nine seasons earlier. He hit just 13 home runs and posted a career-worst .694 OPS. He was coming off an All-Star season in 2021, with 34 HR, and a .939 OPS with the Cincinnati Reds. 

Can Castellanos bounce back to anything resembling that player?

2022 left him "pissed off, unhappy, frustrated," he has said. So clearly, the motivation is there. And history tells us that a bounce-back is coming.

After six straight seasons with a slugging percentage hovering around or above the .500 mark, it uncharacteristically dropped to .389 in 2022. Nobody in baseball hit more doubles than he did from 2014 through 2021. Those numbers dropped as well. 

Nick Castellanos is 1 of 4 Players with 30+ home runs, 30+ doubles and a .300 batting average in a season. (Since 2020).

(Harper, Riley, Goldschmidt)

Avg: Barrel% 10.5, Barrel/PA 7.3
‘22: Barrel% 6.6, Barrel/PA 4.7

Predict the 2023 bounce back numbers ⬇️ #Phillies pic.twitter.com/B0kCRJUbhf

— PhillieSavant (NL Champions) (@Phillie_Savant) February 24, 2023

He's one of only four players in baseball to rack up 30+ home runs, 30+ doubles and a .300 batting average in a season over the past three seasons.  

Castellanos turns 31 on Saturday. He's still in his prime. He says he's much more comfortable and settled in in Philly heading into ‘23. Citizens Bank Ballpark is bound to be much more friendly to Nick Castellanos in Year 2 in Philly. 

Bank on a bounce-back at Citizens Bank. 

Photo: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports