For the primary time in 236 video games, Nick Castellanos shouldn’t be within the beginning lineup for the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday night time. It isn’t due to harm and it isn’t due to a droop. It’s as a result of he’s being benched, and punished, for making an inappropriate remark towards supervisor Rob Thomson on Monday night time.
The remark got here after Castellanos was faraway from the crew’s 5-2 win over the Miami Marlins for defensive functions.
Castellanos stated on Tuesday, through The Athletic’s Charlotte Varnes, that he was sad with Thomson’s determination to take away him from the sport. When requested in regards to the determination to bench him, ending his consecutive video games streak, Castellanos merely stated “it is his determination. He is the supervisor.”
If the Phillies are usually not cautious, and until cooler heads can prevail right here, this has the potential to develop into a problematic state of affairs.
For one, Thomson is not completely within the unsuitable to take away Castellanos late in a recreation — particularly an in depth recreation — for defensive functions. Whereas Castellanos is an efficient hitter, he has main shortcomings within the area the place he’s — statistically talking — one of many worst defensive outfielders within the league.
It is in all probability a call that ought to get made extra ceaselessly. He’s so dangerous defensively that it virtually negates a good portion of what he can do with a bat in his fingers.
Regardless of having an OPS+ of 105 (100 is taken into account a league-average hitter) he has a destructive WAR (wins above alternative) this season due completely to his protection. In different phrases — he’s really costing the Phillies video games this season.
The opposite potential subject is that Castellanos both stated one thing horrifically dangerous to end in his modest ironman streak being ended, or it was a continued supply of frustration between the 2 sides.
Skilled sports activities are an intense and emotional trade. It isn’t unusual for gamers and coaches to disagree with one another, argue, combat or get offended. It doesn’t at all times instantly escalate to a benching.
On the finish of the day Thomson’s job is to place the very best crew on the sphere. In a aggressive Nationwide League East each recreation goes to rely because the Phillies attempt to win the division, they usually cannot danger shedding video games on account of dangerous protection. Castellanos must both discover a option to develop into a greater defensive participant (not going at this level of his profession), or perceive conditions like Monday may be occurring extra ceaselessly, particularly if his bat is barely marginally above common.
If he can not do both, the Phillies would possibly must look elsewhere for outfield assist.
