Detroit Tigers: Nicholas Castellanos a legit power threat going into 2018

Detroit Tigers right fielder Nicholas Castellanos emerged as a real home run and RBI threat in 2017. He has been swinging a hot bat in Spring Training so far as well.

Over the past two years, Detroit Tigers slugger Nicholas Castellanos has boasted a very solid slash-line of .277/.325/.493 (114 OPS+). Last season, he hit a career-high 26 home runs and drove in over 100 runs for the first time of his career. Most of his damage was done in the second half when he hit .299/.329/.553 with 16 homers.

Set to enter his fifth full season in the major leagues, it appears that Castellanos is coming into his own as a power hitter. Per Dick Scanlon of the Associated Press, General Manager Al Avila described Castellanos as someone who “became a legitimate middle-of-the-order hitter” in 2017.

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Of course, in recent seasons, the middle of the Tigers’ batting order has been quite crowded. With names such as Miguel Cabrera, Victor Martinez, J.D. Martinez, Yoenis Cespedes and Justin Upton, there simply wasn’t room for Castellanos in the heart of the Tigers’ order. Moreover, earlier in his career, Castellanos was not quite the hitter that he has become today. His potential was always evident, though. His AL-best 28.5 percent line drive rate during his rookie season of 2014 demonstrated a unique skill for making solid contact.

Already building off of 2017?

Although the Tigers still have Cabrera and (Victor) Martinez, they are both coming off of down years. Even if both players bounce back, it should be helpful for the Tigers to have someone like Castellanos, who has now proven that he can provide some additional thump. Per Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press, Castellanos is off to a hot start this spring and seems to be picking up right where he left off. In the Tigers’ 8-8 tie against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday afternoon, Castellanos went 1-for-2 with a homer. He is hitting .333/.333/.1.167 so far in the early goings of Grapefruit League action.

New position, future with team

Castellanos will also be playing right field this season, a position he began transitioning to late last season. He had previously served as the Tigers’ third baseman, but his defense was an issue. He was pegged for -64 Defensive Runs Saved since the start of 2014.

There has also been a certain amount of speculation regarding Castellanos future with the team. The Tigers are obviously rebuilding and Castellanos is under team control for only two more years. It was reported that the Detroit Tigers were, in fact, looking at the possibility of extending Castellanos late last season, but nothing came to fruition. A trade at some point also appears to be a possibility. Castellanos has, however, expressed a desire to remain with the Tigers.

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Regardless of how much longer Castellanos stays in Detroit, one thing is for certain: The soon-to-be 26-year-old just now appears to be entering his prime. It should be fun to see what he can do in 2018.