Nick Castellanos, the right fielder for the Philadelphia Phillies, likened baseball players to either milk or wine, implying that they either decline rapidly with age like milk or improve over time like wine. In an interview with The Athletic’s Matt Gelb, Castellanos discussed his offseason routine, which involved coaching his son in baseball, engaging in baserunning drills, and exploring jiu-jitsu together.
OOPS HE DID IT AGAIN pic.twitter.com/wbYPHVmECq
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) October 13, 2023
When reflecting on the aging process in baseball, Castellanos likened some players to milk, which spoils quickly, and others to wine, which matures gracefully over time. He emphasized that there’s no middle ground in this analogy.
Entering his 12th season in the majors and third with the Phillies, the 32-year-old outfielder understands the importance of maintaining both physical and mental fitness for the demanding 162-game season. Despite turning 32, he remains committed to keeping himself in prime condition.
Castellanos enjoyed a strong start to the previous season, but his performance dipped slightly in the second half. Nevertheless, he achieved respectable overall numbers, maintaining a batting average around his career average, hitting the second-most home runs of his career, and achieving a career-high in RBIs. However, he aims to reduce his strikeout rate after experiencing an increase last season.
Nick Castellanos on Scooby Doo: “First off, he’s a dog who can talk. So, I think a dog that can talk and can help people by solving mysteries is a superhero.”
— Lindsey Adler (@lindseyadler) July 10, 2023
Additionally, Castellanos began practicing jiu-jitsu as a means of channeling frustration and finding relaxation, particularly after the disappointment of losing in the playoffs.
Known for his candid remarks, Castellanos has a history of providing memorable quotes and engaging in memorable interactions, whether it’s discussing his favorite superhero or interacting with his son during a game.
Nick Castellanos hit this ball so far that Liam forgot to do his job 🤣 pic.twitter.com/E3l4Ap9YZF
— MLB (@MLB) March 2, 2024
Heading into the upcoming season, there will be pressure on Castellanos to deliver consistently, especially after a somewhat inconsistent performance last year. However, with his continued dedication to training and his relaxed attitude, both he and the Phillies hope he’ll continue to perform at a high level, akin to aging fine wine.
