Detroit Tigers: Nicholas Castellanos’ potential move to outfield makes sense

The Detroit Tigers’ current third baseman may need to change positions in order to make room for newly acquired prospects.

Nearly four years ago, the Detroit Tigers traded Prince Fielder to the Texas Rangers in exchange for Ian Kinsler. The move allowed for Miguel Cabrera to return to first base while opening up third base for then-top prospect Nicholas Castellanos.

Castellanos was drafted by the Tigers as an infielder in 2010. However, while still in the minor leagues, he began getting work in the outfield after the signing of Fielder. When Castellanos first came up with the Tigers as a September call-up in 2013, he appeared in nine games in left field, starting in four, before third base became vacant the following offseason.

Although it has taken a while, Castellanos’ bat has begun to come around. He had a mini-breakout last season, hitting .285/.331/.496 (121 OPS+) with 18 homers through 110 games. This season, he is currently hitting .249/.312/.442 (99 OPS+) with 16 homers and 67 RBI. He is leading the American League with nine triples.

While his batting average and on-base percentage could still use improvement, Castellanos should eclipse 20 home runs for the first time of his career this season. He might also end the season in the neighborhood of the 100-RBI benchmark. According to Fangraphs, his hard-hit ball percentage of 45.8 percent ranks first in the American League.

Struggles in the field

In the field, however, Castellanos has continued to struggle. Among all qualified third basemen in the American League, he currently ranks last with -12 defensive runs saved. It now appears that a return to the outfield could be in the 25-year-old’s future.

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According to Evan Woodbery of MLive, Castellanos has now begun working out in right field, which is a proposal that he himself brought to manager Brad Ausmus and GM Al Avila. While he will not immediately change positions, if everything goes smoothly, Ausmus claims Castellanos could see “real game experience” within a few weeks’ time, per Woodbery. If necessary, it is also possible they could work with him more extensively in spring training and wait until next season before getting him into a game in the outfield.

New prospects knocking on the door

Prior to the non-waiver trade deadline, the Tigers acquired a pair of third base prospects, which is perhaps the biggest reason why a position change for Castellanos could be in the team’s best interest. First, the Tigers sent slugging right fielder J.D. Martinez to the Arizona Diamondbacks and acquired Dawel Lugo as the headliner of a three-prospect package. Then, the Tigers acquired another third baseman in Jeimer Candelario, as well as 18-year-old shortstop Isaac Paredes, from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for Alex Avila and Justin Wilson.

Lugo is still in Double-A, but Candelario is closer to the majors and has already seen big league time with the Cubs and Tigers. Candelario has hit a combined .260/.346/.499 with 14 home runs and 57 RBI with two teams in Triple-A this season. The 23-year-old switch hitter should be a prime candidate to return once rosters expand on September 1.

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Castellanos remains under team control through 2019. By switching to a corner outfield position, the Tigers could keep a productive bat in the lineup, clear a starting spot for a youngster and become a better defensive team in the foreseeable future.