Detroit Tigers: Three players to watch in series against Kansas City Royals

Nicholas Castellanos

Things haven’t gone swimmingly for Castellanos defensively since shifting to right field from a defensive standpoint.

The converted infielder is posting a -58.3 UZR/150, a -7 DRS and a -0.3 ARM in 126 defensive innings in the outfield for Detroit.

It obviously still early and Castellanos is still learning the position. Still, his defensive stats don’t exactly stand out.

What does stand out, however, is the 25-year-old’s recent production at the plate.

Castellanos is tied with Jeimer Candelario for the team lead in WAR during the month of September with a 1.0 number.

This is largely due to an offensive hot streak that has seen the former first-round pick hit .368 with a .378 on-base percentage, a 169 wRC+ and a .427 wOBA.

Detroit’s new right fielder has also provided the power the team has missed since the trade of Justin Upton.

Castellanos has added nine doubles and six home runs in just 98 September plate appearances. That’s been good for a .284 ISO and a .653 slugging percentage.

The offensive success could continue for the slugger on Tuesday as he matches up with Jason Vargas, a starter who Castellanos has connected for two home runs off of in 18 career plate appearances.

The former infielder has also found plenty of success (five-for-nine with two doubles and two RBI) against Royals’ reliever Kelvin Herrera.