“I think I’ve done a good job of hitting strikes,” Castellanos said. “Maybe that’s a result of me not chasing out of the zone as much. I got some good pitches to hit in the zone today. Maybe that’s a result of me taking my walks yesterday.”

Maybe. Although it’s not like Castellanos is on a tear. His homer against the Rangers was his first extra-base hit since May 12. He was in a 5-for-32 rut before he notched two hits in Thursday’s 5-2 victory.

Before the game, manager Rob Thomson suggested that Castellanos’ walks Wednesday night might be a harbinger for good things to come. It’s a message that hitting coach Kevin Long and his staff have been trying to get across in their daily conversations with Castellanos.

“Eventually, if you keep walking, they’re going to have to get in the zone, and then hopefully he starts doing some damage,” Thomson said. “It looks like they’re down and away, and if they throw a heater, it’s going to be up and in. Eventually, they’re going to have to get in the zone at some point.”

Thomson paused.

“Or not,” he said.

The Phillies believe it all depends on how disciplined Castellanos can be. Asked if he can lay off enough bad pitches to get more hittable ones, Castellanos said, “I’m going to have to, aren’t I?”

“I’m learning to, you know?” he added. “Walking has never been something that I’ve in the past strived for as a good thing. I’ve been so measured on how hard I’m hitting the ball consistently. But it’s never too late to learn something good. Just relax, wait for my pitch, and if I take four, then I take four.”