Castellanos slowly gains Ausmus’ trust on defense
Chicago – It’s not like Nick Castellanos has ever been subtle on this point. He hates being replaced for defensive purposes late in games. Hates it.
“I think everybody in this clubhouse knows I want to be in the game,” he said.
It’s actually been somewhat of a running bit between him and manager Brad Ausmus.
“We do joke around,” Ausmus said. “We always say five runs. We tell him, ‘We need a five-run lead before we let you play (late in a close game), so you better hit a two-run homer.’”
Castellanos got a rare start as the designated hitter Tuesday, subbing for Victor Martinez, who is nursing a bruised right knee. But the fact is, he has made tremendous strides on the defensive side and is gradually earning Ausmus’ trust.
“He’s improved, no question,” Ausmus said. “Even a lay baseball fan can see it. He’s getting better.”
Castellanos was on the field for all 12 innings Monday and made three stellar defensive plays, including a diving stab to rob Todd Frazier of a hit in the seventh. He was on the field because Andrew Romine had to be held back to replace Martinez, should he get a chance to pinch-hit (which he did).
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“But, you get opportunities here and there and you do well, it might lead to more opportunities,” Ausmus said.
Castellanos often takes a light-hearted approach with the media, but he is dead serious about evolving into a complete player.
“I just want to be the best baseball player I can be so I can help the team win,” he said. “And getting better at defense is a big part of that.”
Castellanos has spent time the last two winters traveling to Texas to work with Tigers defensive coordinator Matt Martin. He’s worked to get his body leaner so he can be more athletic. He’s worked on his reflexes and his pre-pitch routine. He puts in extra time almost every day prior to games doing drill work and taking ground balls.
That's all off, obviously. But as much or more than that, he said, has been the accumulation of games.
“I am getting used to playing one position,” he said. “Everybody wanted me to come up and play third base my first year like an All-Star. And anything less than that on a team that’s supposed to win was not acceptable.
“But I took two and a half years off of playing third base. And I only played there for one year in the minor leagues before that. So now I am learning how to play this position. I am learning the hitters, where they hit and their tendencies. It’s just time. You can’t replicate game situations.”
Still, Ausmus isn’t quite ready to give Castellanos his full endorsement late in close games.
"As long as you think there is a significant difference in defensive ability between two players at any position, late in a game you will make a move to the better defensive player,” he said. “But if Nick continues to get better and that gap shrinks significantly, maybe it’s not worth making that move anymore.”
That day is coming, sooner than later.
Twitter @cmccosky