Bryce Harper is a witness to how some of his teammates have struggled to get into a rhythm this year. Offensive production at the plate has been tough for a few players, especially for one Philadelphia Phillies teammate who hasn’t recorded a walk in August.
The player in question is Nick Castellanos, who, according to a report from Jack Fritz, has been having offensive problems since July. “Castellanos has a .216 OBP since July 1st and hasn’t walked in the month of August,” Fritz stated, adding that in his last six games, he has produced next to nothing for the Phillies.
Castellanos is in his fourth year with the Phillies, and despite everything, he usually finishes the year with a respectable batting average. Last season, he finished with a .254 average and a .311 OBP. He could end up on a similar line this year but may fall short of the 154 hits he produced last season, as he currently has only 115.
Eight Bad Games for Castellanos
Castellanos has contributed only one hit in his last eight games over 33 at-bats, a truly disappointing stretch. He has struck out nine times and is hitting a dismal .030 average during that span. In those same eight games, the Phillies went 4-4, with seven of those matchups coming on the road.
As reported by Jack Fritz, Castellanos has not recorded a walk in August. In July, his production was also very low, with only four walks and 21 strikeouts in 87 at-bats, resulting in a poor .207 average for the entire month.
June was the last month where Castellanos put up solid numbers, with five home runs, a .276 average, 27 hits in 98 at-bats, and 15 RBI. It was definitely his best month, and his good streak was expected to continue, but that has not been the case.
Phillies Fans React Against Castellanos
Phillies fans were highly critical of Castellanos once Fritz published his brief report on the player’s situation. The messages against him were quite strong on social media, targeting a player who, alongside Bryce Harper, has been one of the team’s most recognizable faces in recent years.
