Detroit Tigers 2016 Season Review: Nick Castellanos

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Apr 24, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers third baseman Nick Castellanos (9) against the Cleveland Indians at Comerica Park. The Indians won 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

One of the most surprising aspects of Nick Castellanos’s 2016 was his plate performance in April. In the first month, he had 29 hits with 5 doubles, 3 home runs, and 14 RBIs. In April 2015, his bat was quiet, with 18 hits, 4 doubles, 2 home runs, and 8 RBIs. It was clear from the very start that Castellanos was ready to show the baseball world what he could do.

Impressive Numbers

He finished April with one of the highest batting averages in the MLB. His slash of .363/.376/.563 with an OPS of .939.

To show how strong Castellanos’s numbers in April were, take a look at Miguel Cabrera‘s numbers in the same month. The Triple Crown King had 24 hits, 6 doubles, 4 home runs, and 12 RBIs. He finished April 2016 with a slash of .270/.337/.472 and an OPS of .809.

While Castellanos was predicted to have a breakout year, no one expected his numbers to beat Cabrera’s – especially right out of Spring Training. Before the All-Star Game, Nick Castellanos’s batting average of .302 was in the Top 10 of all third basemen in the MLB. Of all of the third basemen, Casty ranked 10th in home runs at the All-Star Break with 17 long balls. He was clearly on a roll.

Along with Castellanos’s improved performance at the plate, he was also making waves on defense.

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