Casas, 20, looking like a veteran
Infielder adjusting to tough pitching at McCoy
PAWTUCKET – Yes, it is true that power-hitting Red Sox prospect Triston Casas is 20 years old.
Based on the way he handles himself at the plate and how he interacted with the media during Friday’s Zoom call from McCoy Stadium, you’d swear Casas was a 10-year veteran.
Two weeks have passed since Casas started working out at the Red Sox’ designated alternate site. He’s been facing pitchers who are as different as night and day from the hurlers he saw a year ago in Class A. It’s a big adjustment, yet judging by the moon shot he blasted off Marcus Walden – a pitcher with 87 games of major-league experience – at McCoy this past Monday, Casas hasn’t been swallowed whole by the brave new world he received permission to enter.
“The level of pitching I’ve faced here is definitely the best that I’ve ever faced before,” said Casas, Boston’s 2018 first-round pick and consensus choice as the organization’s top prospect. “Last year, the arms in Low A were definitely not anything like the guys [at McCoy].”
Yet another reminder that it’s a whole new ballgame for Casas came Friday when he stepped into the box to face Domingo Tapia, who touched 100 miles per hour several times in 2019 while pitching for the PawSox.
“I’m really happy to have gotten a call up here. I knew I was going to be challenged. I’m happy with the at-bats I’m putting together and the way that everything’s turned out,” said Casas.
The Red Sox opted to invite a promising player of Casas’ caliber to join the club’s 60-person player pool even though the team has no plans to call the player up in the immediate future. Casas has yet to play a game in Double-A, hence his time in “Sim City” strictly has a developmental layer to it.
Still, the fact he’s in Pawtucket in the first place speaks volumes to how he stayed sharp during the pandemic prior to receiving an important phone call from Red Sox Director of Player Development Ben Crockett.
When the initial spring training was shut down back in March, Casas was told to keep his locker at JetBlue Park intact. The problem was that he didn’t have anything to train with at his Miami home.
“The virus hit the area hard. A lot of the gyms and the facilities I normally use were closed,” said Casas.
How did Casas stay sharp? “Running around the neighborhood, going to the courts and playing basketball,” he said. “For about a month, I didn’t do any baseball activities.”
Once the fallout from the coronavirus began to subside, Casas dusted off his baseball skills. There was still the possibility of the 2020 minor league season, hence he began to train with the hope of heading to a Red Sox affiliate. By late June, the plug was pulled on the MiLB season.
Shortly thereafter, the Red Sox released the initial names for their pool player. Casas was not included, though Sox officials told the youngster to keep working.
“I was told to stay in shape just in case there was the possibility to come [to Pawtucket],” said Casas. “There were a couple of weeks where I was unsure that would happen, but I’m happy to be here.
“I haven’t got the call to the big leagues, but I feel like it’s the closest thing to it,” added Casas. “I knew the level of talent was not anything like I’ve faced before. I was really excited to test what I had against the best guys in our organization besides the guys in the big leagues. I’ve definitely come up here and tried to take full advantage of the opportunity ... take every at-bat with purpose and just go out there and compete. I didn’t expect to come to camp and light things up. I’m trying to get my timing back and not worry too much about the results.”
As a 19-year-old, Casas produced 20 homers and 81 RBI with a .830 OPS. When the 2020 MLB season got underway in late July, he found himself glued to the television. He watched plenty of baseball games and took away numerous visualizations that have come in handy since arriving in Pawtucket.
“I would try to be in the hitter’s head and wonder what they were thinking based on the situation in the game,” said Casas, who proclaimed he’s 6-foot-5 and 250 pounds. (The 2020 Red Sox media guide lists him at 6-foot4, 238 pounds.)
Now that he’s around guys with big-league service time, Casas no longer has to fantasize. He cited Jonathan Lucroy, Jett Bandy, and Christian Arroyo – two catchers and an infielder – as three members of the Red Sox taxi squad who have been willing with their time.
“I’ve heard nothing but beneficial things,” said Casas. “One thing I’ve been told is not to worry about the result. Just go out there and hit the ball hard.”
One thing that’s become apparent during Casas’ time at McCoy is that he’s the patient type. It’s been common to see him take six or seven pitches per at-bat. When he gets to two strikes, he chokes way up on the bat, a mannerism that’s so unique and foreign from many of today’s ballplayers.
“I love going in there and giving the pitcher a good battle,” he said. “I never want to throw an at-bat away.”
Defensively, the initial images of Casas taking the field at McCoy featured him fielding groundballs at third base. In 2019, most of his action came at first base.
Based on his response, it’s clear that Casas has been asked about his preference – first or third – a few times in his life.
“I always tell them I feel more comfortable in the lineup,” said Casas. “I played all three outfield positions in high school. When we shift, I line up at shortstop. I’m pretty comfortable all over the place.”