Triston Casas- 2018 Draft #26 overall

luckysox

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Now that is a kid who is swinging with an uppercut. I like the pick. Seems confident, he's young and coachable, he's a big boy and will just get stronger. Potential to mash from 1B in 3 or 4 years.
 

DJnVa

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One of those videos says he weighed 240 when he was 13 and has kept the same weight for the last 5 years. I liked the Freddie Freeman comp.
 

tonyarmasjr

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That's a pretty cool and really high level promo video for a high school kid. Is that the norm for kids coming out of prep schools these days? I know American Heritage has a really strong academic reputation, but are they a sports/baseball powerhouse? It seems he's had top notch training and coaching already, judging by some of the speakers in that video. It's almost like all the building blocks are in place and the only thing left to project is his age. It's a stark contrast to some of the "projects" that we see taken.
 

The Talented Allen Ripley

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Casas signs:

The Red Sox today signed 2018 MLB Draft first-round selection Triston Casas, an 18-year-old third baseman out of American Heritage High School in Plantation, Fla.

Casas was expected to agree on a contract for the full slot value of the 26th overall pick -- $2,552,800, a source tells MLB.com.
Casas, who was the 26th overall selection in the Draft, will report to the rookie-level Gulf Coast League Red Sox.
 

Mike F

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Well it clear that "yon Casas has a lean and Hungary, but not fundless look."
 

soxhop411

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According to Sox prospects he apparently left today’s game with an injury.
 

patoaflac

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Curious name. Triste means sad and triston is used as: sort of sad, and casas is houses. Expecting he makes opposing pitchers very tristes and not us.
 

Cesar Crespo

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back to back games with HRs. He's up to .270/.346/.515 for the year. For May: .326/.398/.651 with 7 HRs.
 

oumbi

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Soxprospects latest rankings has Casas as the #1 prospect since Chavis is up with Boston. And as a side note, Dalbec is #2 and Duran is now #3, jumping up from #13.

Casas now has 9 home runs.
 

billy ashley

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Correct, he is a 1b. Though he may have gotten more reps at third, if not for Howlett who is a prospect and got regular reps until he collapsed in the second half.

The point is that even when he was drafted no one expected him to stick. He's a good athlete, who reportedly moves well for his size. But he's way too big.

Reports are that he looks very good at 1b. Shame about wasting that arm... but yeah...
 

nighthob

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They’re being very aggressive with him, so my guess is that he starts in Salem and whenever he really begins to smack the ball they push him to Portland.
 

Manramsclan

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They’re being very aggressive with him, so my guess is that he starts in Salem and whenever he really begins to smack the ball they push him to Portland.
Something to dream on. A big left handed slugger at 1B would really fit into this lineup.
 

Rough Carrigan

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Correct, he is a 1b. Though he may have gotten more reps at third, if not for Howlett who is a prospect and got regular reps until he collapsed in the second half.

The point is that even when he was drafted no one expected him to stick. He's a good athlete, who reportedly moves well for his size. But he's way too big.

Reports are that he looks very good at 1b. Shame about wasting that arm... but yeah...
Scott Rolen, who was an excellent third baseman, was just a little smaller at 6'4" 245 lbs. So, it's not crazy that Casas could play third base adequately.
 

stepson_and_toe

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Scott Rolen, who was an excellent third baseman, was just a little smaller at 6'4" 245 lbs. So, it's not crazy that Casas could play third base adequately.
Was that when he was 21 or 37?

Edit: I dug out my Sporting News Guides and he started his ML at 195 pounds but he had a big jump in weight sometime in 1998-1999. The 1998 guide lists him as 225 in the spring training roster for 1999 and the year before it lists him there as 195. I can't tell when the actual weight was recorded...during the season, at the end of it, or when spring training was beginning for the next year. Anyway, he allegedly got up to 240 for the 2004 season, so he was fairly hefty as a 3B for most of his career.

bb-ref has Casas listed at 238 pounds and two seasons, age 18 and 19. If he has reached 255 at age 20, he'd better slow down.
 
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Rough Carrigan

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Was that when he was 21 or 37?

Edit: I dug out my Sporting News Guides and he started his ML at 195 pounds but he had a big jump in weight sometime in 1998-1999. The 1998 guide lists him as 225 in the spring training roster for 1999 and the year before it lists him there as 195. I can't tell when the actual weight was recorded...during the season, at the end of it, or when spring training was beginning for the next year. Anyway, he allegedly got up to 240 for the 2004 season, so he was fairly hefty as a 3B for most of his career.

bb-ref has Casas listed at 238 pounds and two seasons, age 18 and 19. If he has reached 255 at age 20, he'd better slow down.
The fielding bible numbers over at Bill James on line still have Rolen as a terrific third baseman from 2004 and for 5 or 6 years after that (+32 in 2004! and around +18 or 20 after that). I agree that it's unlikely Casas could do it. But it's not impossible. Especially if he could get a little lighter.
 

simplicio

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#90 on Keith Law's top 100.

Casas was Boston’s first-rounder in 2018 out of a Florida high school and spent 2019 in Low A, where he hit .256/.350/.480 at age 19, good for fifth in all of Low A in slugging percentage. Casas has a solid swing where he can get to real power when he rotates his hips, but he can get locked up on pitches up the zone. He has a real two-strike approach, similar to Juan Soto’s, where he widens his stance substantially and chokes up on the bat to go for contact, which also reduces his power. He has a very good eye for his age, and his approach gets him into a lot of counts where he can hit for power, giving reason to think he’ll get to 30-plus homers in time. He started the season by trying to hit from an extreme crouch, resulting in a .208/.284/.364 line in April, but went on a tear after reverting to his usual stance, showing the power and patience required to profile as at least an above-average regular at first base.
 

pokey_reese

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Scott Rolen, who was an excellent third baseman, was just a little smaller at 6'4" 245 lbs. So, it's not crazy that Casas could play third base adequately.
Him and Troy Glaus came to my mind initially. There have been some big 3B over the years, I guess it just depends on experience and how that weight is distributed.
 

BaseballJones

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billy ashley

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Casas has been putting up super professional at bats against advanced pitching. I think he starts next season in AA, which is pretty awesome.

Guy has as much power anyone in the system, but unlike some of the others, looks like he knows how to hit, too.
 

Marbleheader

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Incredible night for the future Red Sox first baseman. 4-6, 2HR, 1 2B, 3R, 6 RBI
 

Yelling At Clouds

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Another one yesterday. I’m not going to go overboard here, but I’m starting to wonder if we do see him in Boston at some point before season’s end. Probably not, but maybe?
 

BigSoxFan

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Another one yesterday. I’m not going to go overboard here, but I’m starting to wonder if we do see him in Boston at some point before season’s end. Probably not, but maybe?
Probably not but you can't rule it out, which is exciting. Now that the Sox look like they have staying power and will be going for it this year, there could be a potential need at some point. Seems quite likely he'll be in AAA and right on the doorstep by the latter half of the year. More than likely, service time/development considerations rule the day and we're looking at an early-to-mid 2022 call up.
 

Jed Zeppelin

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Probably not but you can't rule it out, which is exciting. Now that the Sox look like they have staying power and will be going for it this year, there could be a potential need at some point. Seems quite likely he'll be in AAA and right on the doorstep by the latter half of the year. More than likely, service time/development considerations rule the day and we're looking at an early-to-mid 2022 call up.
I think it basically comes down to dominance. Ellsbury made the same-year jump from AA to MLB, but that was a mix of destroying AA in his 2nd go around, looking adequate in Pawtucket, and there being a need for his services in Boston.

He was a high school draftee so he's a little further behind, but more or less on the same path if you pretend he played last year and ended in Portland. If some more time passes and it's clear that AA is no match for him, then there is an outside chance depending on how he does in AAA, and how things shake out with the Dalbec/Chavis/Santana crew.
 

Marbleheader

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I highly doubt we'll see him this year, there will be a serviceable 1B available at the trade deadline most likely. Still excited about his promise and I did buy his 1st Bowman auto yesterday
 

billy ashley

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I don't have a link for it, but sometime over the past year, the soxprospects podcast reported that there are some in the org that think he could make it to the majors by 21.

I too am skeptical it happens (as were the hosts on the podcast) for the following reasons:

1) While Dalbec hasn't been good, his K rate is actually right where we could realistically want it to be. With his power, if he's whiffing "only" 33% of the time, he's probably worth while starting first base option. The BB rate is a little concerning, but he's gone through similiar (worse, even) stretches in the minors and rebounded back to his normal 10% rate.
2) Cases still has very little experience facing advanced pitching, he's lit up the lower levels and we should all be thrilled (especially given his age) but he's not faced many pitchers who understand sequencing, or have the command to throw league averagish breaking balls on command. The jump from High A to Double A is huge, and it's great that he's thriving in this small sample, but the jump to AAA will probably be an even bigger test for him.
3) The offense has been really good, thus far. If Cordero, Renfroe or Santana can manage to not suck for a prolonged period of time, it has a chance at being elite. If not, they'll likely look to upgrade there.
4) Boston looks like a play off team; they probably will value stability over upside if Dalbec doesn't perform.
 

steveluck7

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I don't necessarily "care" if he's in Boston this year. But i sure am breathing easy knowing the current GM won't deal him off for a 3rd starter like his predecessor may have
 

BigSoxFan

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I think it basically comes down to dominance. Ellsbury made the same-year jump from AA to MLB, but that was a mix of destroying AA in his 2nd go around, looking adequate in Pawtucket, and there being a need for his services in Boston.

He was a high school draftee so he's a little further behind, but more or less on the same path if you pretend he played last year and ended in Portland. If some more time passes and it's clear that AA is no match for him, then there is an outside chance depending on how he does in AAA, and how things shake out with the Dalbec/Chavis/Santana crew.
Agreed. A young prospect like Casas has to force the issue. If he's doing a solid job but not spectacular, just leave him down and move him to AAA, when ready. Chances are a bump or two in the road are coming. Duran is a guy I'd like to be more aggressive with. He's already 24 and Franchy stinks.
 

JimD

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I don't necessarily "care" if he's in Boston this year. But i sure am breathing easy knowing the current GM won't deal him off for a 3rd starter like his predecessor may have
This x1000. Even worse, he'd be part of a three- or four-player deal.
 

Hairps

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While Casas is already mashing away in AA, it's always fun to remember that he is younger than Kumar Rocker, who the Sox could select 4th overall this year.
 

brandonchristensen

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While Casas is already mashing away in AA, it's always fun to remember that he is younger than Kumar Rocker, who the Sox could select 4th overall this year.
It still blows my mind that Devers is 24 and he’s in his 5th season with the Red Sox.