fbpx
Michigan State University Student Radio

Impact 89FM | WDBM-FM

Michigan State University Student Radio

Impact 89FM | WDBM-FM

Michigan State University Student Radio

Impact 89FM | WDBM-FM

join-us-button

Nicholas Castellanos among top AL All-Star snubs

Nicholas+Castellanos+among+top+AL+All-Star+snubs

If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.

Detroit Tigers third baseman Nick Castellanos is in the midst of having a breakout season, but unfortunately for him, the eye-popping numbers he has put up wasn’t good enough to send him to the Major League All-Star Game in Washington D.C.

Relief pitcher Joe Jimenez is the Tigers’ solo representative to be a part of the American League All-Star squad on July 17.

Unfortunately for Castellanos, he doesn’t get the chance to be a final vote candidate, and the only possibility he has of making the team would be an injury to a current AL All-Star.

Castellanos has been the most consistent player for Detroit all season long, and with Miguel Cabrera out for the season, he’s filled his shoes rather nicely.

Granted the Tigers aren’t contenders for the playoffs, Castellanos has been quite the “All-Star” when it comes to assisting the Tigers in the win column.

He leads the Tigers in nearly every offensive category imaginable. He leads the team in batting average, home runs, RBI, and hits. He has even managed to be within the top 25 batting average leaders in the league since the season started.

Castellanos was Detroit’s long-time third baseman, but after acquiring third baseman Jeimer Candelario from the Chicago Cubs towards the end of last season, Castellanos was happy to make the switch from third base to the outfield to make room for Candelario.

While the starting outfield for the American League was essentially a given, the American League reserves were rather up in the air.

George Springer and Michael Brantley deserve the nod a little bit more than Castellanos does (Cleveland has five All-Stars), and Seattle’s Mitch Haniger has been having a breakout season too. The Mariners being in the thick of the AL West playoff hunt definitely helps Haniger’s case for being an All-Star reserve.

Essentially it came down to Texas Rangers outfielder Shin Soo-Choo, who just set the Rangers’ franchise record for reaching base in 47 consecutive games, and in his 14-year career, he has yet to be an All-Star.

Since every team must have at least one player to be represented in the All-Star game, it was difficult for Castellanos to earn his shot. If Castellanos was awarded an All-Star spot over Jimenez, the Rangers would have had to send a pitcher, and unfortunately for them, they don’t have anybody who’s been lights-out in their rotation or bullpen.

“I think my teammates and coaches are more frustrated about this then I am,”  Castellanos told Chris McCosky of The Detroit News. “I think in itself, for my coaches and teammates to show me that kind of support — I don’t really need to go to Washington D.C., to feel good about my first half.”

Being in the league for only six years, Castellanos still has a bright future and will likely become an All-Star one day. He’s definitely got the talent, and if the Tigers decide to keep him around and sign him to an extension, he very well could become the face of the franchise, as well as a crucial piece in helping the Tigers end their postseason drought.

Leave a Comment
More to Discover

Comments (0)

All Impact 89FM | WDBM-FM Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest