MUD HENS NOTEBOOK

Castellanos honored to be named IL all-star

9/1/2013

Mud Hens outfielder Nick Castellanos said he was surprised to earn a berth on the International League’s post-season all-star team.

“I know how many good players there are in the International League and how much talent there is in this league,” Castellanos said. “I was honored that the people who voted on this team chose me.”

He should not have been surprised, as Castellanos proved he was one of the best young hitters in the IL. He entered Saturday’s contest against Columbus with a .276 batting average, 17 home runs, and 74 RBIs.

“He’s going to hit — anywhere,” Mud Hens manager Phil Nevin said of Castellanos. “He’s one of those guys who is really good, and he will learn as he goes on about how not to give away at-bats.

“Nick is going to be a .300 hitter and show more power than people think [in the major leagues]. And he’s going to drive in runs as a middle-of-the-order, big-time bat in the majors.”

Among the most impressive offensive numbers for Castellanos are his 37 doubles, which is tied for the IL lead, and 80 runs scored, with is the most in the league.

“This is my first year in Triple-A, and I thought I handled it pretty well,” Castellanos said. “There’s definitely a learning curve. From Double-A to here, that’s definitely a jump. I feel a lot more comfortable in the outfield, and I think I have learned how to play out there better.”

In 130 games in left field, Castellanos made three errors while collecting eight outfield assists, a number surpassed by just nine other International League outfielders.

“I was extremely proud of the way Nick handled his business,” Nevin said. “His maturity level, the work he put into playing the outfield.”

RAINOUT: While fans at Fifth Third Field may not have noticed, the late-night rains after Friday’s game caused problems underneath the stadium.

A drain behind home plate was plugged when the hard rains hit, and the result was flooding in both clubhouses, the umpires’ room, and nearly every room underneath the main bowl.

Disaster units were at the ballpark early in the day to clean up the water, and fans were running to try and drive things faster.

DORN HONORED: Before Saturday’s game the Mud Hens announced that Danny Dorn was the team’s 2013 player of the year.

On the field, Dorn ranks as the team leader with 25 home runs and 81 RBIs entering Saturday’s game. He was selected to the International League’s mid-season all-star team.

Off the field, the 29-year-old worked four of the Hens’ five youth baseball camps as well as making numerous appearances around the community.

Dorn received a watch from Leo Marks Jewelers for his efforts.

Contact John Wagner at: jwagner@theblade.com, 419-724-6481 or on Twitter @jwagnerblade.