Red Sox prospect Triston Casas already knows that his 2022 season is likely to be different than his first four in the organization. The 22-year-old doesn’t know exactly when his major league debut will be, but he can feel it drawing close.
For Casas, who is widely regarded as one of the two best prospects in Boston’s system and one of the top 20 in all of baseball, that realization isn’t changing his approach. His mindset is the same as it was when the Sox took him with the 26th overall pick back in 2018: reach the majors as soon as possible, and stick there once he arrives.
“I feel like every year has been my year, but more importantly, this one that’s coming up in front of me,” Casas said Wednesday. “I think it will continue to be that way from here on out, whether I’m expected to make the major-league roster or go back to Triple-A. I’m always just looking forward to what’s ahead of me.
“I know that it’s going to happen one day and I just want to prepare as well as possible and make an impact when I get there, more importantly,” Casas added. “Hopefully, I’ll get a one-way ticket.”
Casas has passed every test put in front of him since being taken out of American Heritage High School in South Florida almost four years ago. He has hit well at every level, embraced the organization’s philosophies on offensive approach and conditioning and impressed on even bigger stages like last year’s Summer Olympics and the Arizona Fall League. After hitting .284 with 13 homers and an .879 OPS in 77 games at Double-A Portland to start 2021, Casas got a nine-game taste of his first ever action at Triple-A. He’s expected to start 2022 in Worcester but could reach the majors quickly if he performs well.
Casas’ 21-game AFL performance (.372 average, .982 OPS) in November was particularly eye-opening because he didn’t show any signs of slowing down despite playing a prolonged, choppy season that included multiple trips overseas with Team USA. He thinks that experience has him well-prepared for the long grind of the big league season.
“Every single level I’ve gone up, I’ve learned more about myself as a hitter, learned more about the game. It has obviously picked up and been faster,” Casas said. “I can really see a difference at all the levels and I can’t wait to see the difference at the major-league one.”
Casas’ power has always been highly regarded, but his minor-league home run totals (34 in 208 games) suggest he still might have another gear to reach. He has gotten stronger and gained 25 pounds since being drafted; the first baseman now weighs in at 265 lbs. to go with his 6-foot-5 frame.
Casas believes his power tool will continue to develop as he fine-tunes his approach at the plate.
“I’m still not done growing, physically and mentally,” he said. “I think I still have a lot to fill out. Pretty much my whole career up until now, I’ve always chased on-base percentage as opposed to slugging percentage. I feel like on-base puts you in a good process to make contact, grind out at-bats, swing at good pitches. That all leads toward the end result of wanting to slug, wanting to drive the ball. More importantly, to be a power hitter you shouldn’t try to hit home runs or try to make something happen. I know I’m plenty big and strong enough.”
This week, Casas and more than two dozen other Red Sox prospects are participating in the club’s Winter Warm Up event in Fort Myers in an effort to get a jumpstart on spring training. As someone who’s not on the 40-man roster, Casas isn’t subject to the ongoing MLB lockout. Even if the MLB season doesn’t start on time, Casas can continue to train at team facilities and play games for the WooSox with no restrictions.
Delayed season or not, Casas’ time in Worcester might be short-lived. He’s knocking on the door of a highly anticipated MLB debut.
“I know eventually, we’re going to play another game again,” he said. “We’re going to see who has been working and who hasn’t.”
Related links:
Triston Casas, other Boston Red Sox prospects who have chance to make MLB debut in 2022
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