Philly Leader

PHILADELPHIA -- Nick Castellanos said in Miami back in May that he has never been somebody to have a plan at the plate.

"See ball, hit ball," he said.

Castellanos’ free-swinging ways have caused headaches at times. It explains why he has seen a lower rate of fastballs than any other hitter in the Majors this season (minimum 1,500 pitches seen). It also explains why Astros right-hander Justin Verlander ignored his best instincts and followed a first-pitch fastball with an 0-1 curveball to Castellanos in the fourth inning on Tuesday night at Citizens Bank Park.

Castellanos crushed the pitch for a three-run home run, sending the Phillies to a 5-0 victory.

“I had a pretty good idea that I was going to see an offspeed pitch at some point in the at-bat,” Castellanos said.

Castellanos said he kicked himself after taking the first-pitch fastball, figuring it might be the only one he saw in the at-bat. But then, the man without a plan said he always planned to hit something with spin anyway.

“As [assistant hitting coach] Dustin Lind said, ‘Sometimes you have to pay your taxes,’” Castellanos said.

“I kind of went away from my instincts there,” Verlander said. “First pitch, I just threw him a heater that my instincts said he wasn’t on, and [I] probably could have gone back to it -- and should have gone back to it -- and didn’t. That’s the game of baseball. That’s the chess match. You’ll have to ask Nick, but I felt like he was sitting soft.”

Castellanos’ 18th homer of the season gave Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola a four-run lead. Nola pitched seven scoreless innings, striking out six and walking one. He received an ovation as he walked off the field in the seventh. Castellanos waited for him in front of the dugout steps and congratulated him for a fantastic effort.

Nola appreciated Castellanos’ efforts, too.

“When Casty gets hot, he gets hot,” Nola said.

Castellanos has quietly been one of baseball’s most consistent hitters for months, batting .280 with 14 home runs, 54 RBIs and an .813 OPS over 85 games from May 19 through Tuesday. Castellanos’ OPS in that span ranks 41st out of 133 qualified hitters in baseball.

It is a remarkable leap from where he started. Castellanos batted .194 with four home runs and 17 RBIs through May 18. He ranked 140th out of 144 players in baseball (minimum 150 plate appearances) with a .556 OPS.

But Phillies manager Rob Thomson kept playing him. He answered countless questions about it. Couldn’t Castellanos use a couple of days off? Shouldn’t he get one because somebody else might be better?

No, Thomson said.

“Because I trust him,” Thomson said Tuesday, recalling his decision to stick with Castellanos. “I know he can hit. It’d be one thing if he didn’t work at it and showed me that he didn’t care. He cares. He works at it. I know that there are times when he doesn’t look good, but there are times when everybody doesn’t look good. He really works at it, and I’m happy for him that he’s had this turnaround.”

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Castellanos remembers those “clearing the mind” questions too; specifically being asked about it in Cincinnati in late April when his average was under .100—he was hitting .174 then.

“Thomper told me Opening Day after batting practice, ‘162?’” Castellanos said referring to playing all 162 games.“I just pointed back at him and nodded my head.For me to get off to a slow start and for him stickto his word as player now I know where he'sat.I think from coaching standpoint trust is biggest thing you canhavefor your players."

"When I gotthat questioninCincinnati locker room,'How importantisitfora manager tohavemyback?'For sure.Becauseif you don’t feel likea managerhasyourbackthat’sprettyuninspiringtolaceupyourcleatsfor."

Castellanoshastartedmorethanhalfhisgamesthisseasonhittingsixthor seventh.Hehashitnolowerthanfifthinthepast13games.HefifthonTuesday."Well,you’vegottoearnitfirst,"Thomsonsaid."Andhe’searnedit.That’sjustthewayitworks."

Castellanosthinkshittinghigherinthelineupishelpingbecausehisstyleofhittingis"alwayslikeglorifiedbattingpractice.""Idon'treallyhaveanapproach,"hesaid."Ilookforthebaseballandhititas hardasIcan.Havingprotectionbehindmeusuallyforcesthepitchertothrowtome more."

ButCastellano knowshewilcontinue seeingbreakingballsandoffspeedpitchesinthecomingweeksandmonths.Itmightneverchange.Buthehasfoundawaytomakeitwork."I'mdoingthebestIcanman,"hesaid.