Nate Castellon Announced to NCBWA All-Freshman Second Team
6/9/2025 2:45:00 PM | Baseball
LYNCHBURG, Va. (NCBWA) — For the 18th time in Cal Poly Baseball's Division I era, the Mustangs have an Freshman All-American honoree. On Monday afternoon, Nate Castellon was announced to the 2025 NCBWA Freshman All-American Second Team for his part in Cal Poly's historic season.
For a true freshman, Nate had a tremendous year both in the field and at the plate. He is well deserving of this honor.Head Coach Larry Lee
Castellon arrived at Cal Poly this season and seemingly had no problems filling the shoes of standout shortstop Aaron Casillas despite his self-professed “undersized” stature.
He played larger than his size and became a pivotal cog in a Cal Poly offense that was one of the very best in the entire country, currently sitting at 10th in Division I baseball for sacrifice bunts (13), third-most in the program's D1 era.
Just a few weeks ago Castellon was named to the All-Big West Second Team. The freshman was third on the team for batting average (.356), on-base percentage (.413), RBIs (50), and hits (80), becoming the first Mustang in at least 15 years to pass the 80+ hit threshold.
Castellon's batting average and hits total are both believed to be the best by a Mustang freshman in the program's Division I history.
Not lacking in the power department despite standing just 5-foot-9 and 170 pounds, Castellon slugged three home runs and 16 extra-base hits.
An athletically-gifted and rangy fielder at the shortstop position, Castellon flashed the glove on countless occasions throughout 2025 and led the team in assists (143).
Giving incredible, extra effort that cannot be tracked in the box score, Castellon made a habit of laying out the body to stop a number of base hits that could have easily turned into doubles and triples had he not put the stops to them.
Castellon earned Big West Field Player of the Week on Monday, May 5 after going 10-for-18 (.556 batting average) with four runs, one triple, a home run, and eight RBIs against Santa Clara and Cal State Bakersfield. Alongside his team-leading offensive contributions, the shortstop was also perfect from the infield with a 1.000 fielding percentage on 25 chances, pacing all Mustangs with 15 assists.
Following our historic season, we have our first Mustang of 2025 to receive national honors!
— Cal Poly Baseball (@CalPolyBSB) June 9, 2025
Congrats to Nate Castellon on his @NCBWA Freshman All-American Second Team nod! ??
The shortstop was a Brooks Wallace Award semifinalist and sits 10th in D1 for sac bunts!#RideHigh pic.twitter.com/9soQnF1SR8
B4 | The Mustangs continue mashing in two-out situations as Nate Castellon doubles down the left field line to give Cal Poly the lead!
— Cal Poly Baseball (@CalPolyBSB) June 1, 2025
CP 6?-4? UVU#RideHigh pic.twitter.com/bRtfYVCmNA
B6 | Make that four runs in the sixth thanks to an RBI triple from Castellon!
— Cal Poly Baseball (@CalPolyBSB) May 16, 2025
CP 1?2?-6? UCR#RideHigh pic.twitter.com/L5XsJbur7u
