![Nick Castellanos is the newest Chicago Cub outfielder. [Image via Keith Allison/Flickr]](https://staticr1.blastingcdn.com/media/photogallery/2019/8/1/660x290/b_502x220x82/nick-castellanos-is-the-newest-chicago-cub-outfielder-image-via-keith-allisonflikr_2303969.jpg "Nick Castellanos is the newest Chicago Cub outfielder. [Image via Keith Allison/Flickr]")
The Chicago Cubs acquired a new outfielder on Wednesday afternoon. Nick Castellanos might have been one of the biggest targets at the trade deadline thanks to his ability to hit and his desire to get out of Detroit. Chicago Cubs fans will have just a few hours to learn about him before he likely suits up for his new team against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday night.
He absolutely destroys lefties
The Cubs have had a problem hitting lefties this summer. The team has said, more than once, they want to get a player that can help with that. Castellanos fits that bill. You might have heard that already but the degree to which he's doing it is quite impressive. This season he's hitting .347/.415/.611 (166 wRC+) against southpaws. No Cub comes close to those numbers.
He's got more power than you think
While Castellanos only has 11 home runs this seasons, that's a drop from what he's done most of his career. Last year, his best in the majors, he hit 298/.354/.500 (130 wRC+) with 23 home runs. The outfielder himself has blamed Detroit's home field, Comerica Park for sapping his power. Wrigley, in the middle of the summer can be a launching pad by contrast.
He can spell Bryant from time to time
While Castellanos will almost always play in the outfield, he's spent time at third base. That could be key if David Bote continues to struggle and the team needs to give Bryant a day off.
His defense is awful
While Castellanos can play the outfield and third base, he's not actually good defensively at either position. If he doesn't get as much playing time as some Cubs fans wish, this is likely the reason why.
He can help as a scout in the stretch run
Thanks to the odd interleague scheduling, Chicago still has six games against AL teams this season. That includes four games against the Oakland A's next week. Unfortunately, they're all in Chicago so he won't be able to DH. What he can do is give his new teammates some insights into players on the A's and Mariners the Cubs might not already have. In fact, of the four deadline pickups, three come from the AL.
