Nicholas Castellanos spent the first four seasons of his big league career learning and developing in the background on a star-studded Tigers roster. As All-Star Game balloting begins, this might finally be the time for him to get some well-warranted recognition.
• VOTE: 2018 Camping World MLB All-Star Ballot
While reigning Tigers All-Star Michael Fulmer has been trying to find his better form with consistency, and former All-Star Jose Cabrera has missed time to the disabled list, Castellanos is building off his solid September last year and blossoming into a run producer. He's on track for career bests in almost every offensive ratio, including easily his best OPS.
For a Detroit club that has been overachieving by most expectations despite injuries up and down the lineup, Castellanos has been key.
More importantly, for All-Star balloting consideration, Castellanos ranks well within the top 10 among American League outfielders in OPS. As difficult as it'll be to challenge Michael Trout, Aaron Judge, Mookie Betts and J.D. Martinez for starting spots, Castellanos has worked himself into consideration for the roster.
Other Tigers on the ballot include Cabrera at first base and Jose Iglesias at shortstop, along with Dixon Machado at second base, Jeimer Candelario at third, James McCann at catcher and Victor Martinez at designated hitter. Leonys Martin and JaCoby Jones round out the outfield.
Fans may cast votes for starters at MLB.com and all 30 club sites -- on computers, tablets and smartphones -- exclusively online using the 2018 Camping World MLB All-Star Ballot until Thursday, July 5, at 11:59 p.m. ET. On smartphones and tablets, fans can also access the ballot via the MLB At Bat and MLB Ballpark mobile apps. Each fan can vote up to five times in any 24-hour period, for a maximum of 35 ballots cast.
The Tigers are encouraging their fans to vote through social media and incentives. Fans who #VoteTigers and follow @tigers on Twitter and Instagram will be eligible to win prizes, including game tickets, autographed memorabilia and game experience. Fans who submit five online ballots that include the Tigers as their favorite club will be eligible for $10 off outfield box seats for select games in June, July and August.
Following the announcement of this year's All-Star starters, reserves and pitchers, fans should return to MLB.com and cast their 2018 Camping World MLB All-Star Final Vote for the final player on each league's roster. Then on Tuesday, July 17, while watching the 2018 All-Star Game presented by Mastercard live on FOX, fans may visit MLB.com to submit their choices for the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet with the 2018 MLB All-Star Game MVP Vote.
The 89th Midsummer Classic, at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., will be televised nationally by FOX Sports; in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS; and worldwide by partners in more than 180 countries. FOX Deportes will provide Spanish-language coverage in the United States, while ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide exclusive national radio coverage of the All-Star Game. MLB Network, MLB.com and SiriusXM also will provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information about MLB All-Star Week and to purchase tickets, please visit AllStarGame.com and follow @MLB and @AllStarGame on social media.