After the best statistical season of his career, Nick Castellanos got noticed Thursday night with his first career Silver Slugger Award.
Castellanos, who hit .309 in 2021 with 34 home runs and 100 runs batted in, is the first Cincinnati Reds player to win a Silver Slugger since Jay Bruce in 2013.
"It definitely is gratifying," Castellanos told reporters Thursday night over Zoom from his son Liam's baseball game. "Any time that you're recognized for accomplishing something, it feels good. Also, now I just want to do it again."
Castellanos opted out of the final two years of his contract last week and he'll reject the Reds qualifying offer, according to The Enquirer's Bobby Nightengale, making Castellanos one of the top free agents on the market.
When asked Thursday, Castellanos said he can't speculate on what the immediate future will bring in free agency.
"I can't answer that. I don't know," he said. "To speculate, I feel is a waste of time. The only thing I could say is we'll see how it plays out."
