Red Sox prospect Triston Casas focuses on honing skills in Worcester, toward next step

WORCESTER — Red Sox top prospect Triston Casas has proven to handle pressure situations at nearly every level during his young pro career. 

There’s one more step to reach before finally achieving his goal, but he’s ready to perform on baseball’s biggest stage at the major league level. The 22-year-old slugging first baseman could be poised to make that jump in 2022, but there’s still plenty of time to hone his skills for the Worcester Red Sox.

Casas already has learned there’s a stark difference at each level, especially after competing at Double A and Triple A in 2021. He also understands the next level will be entirely different, but he’s ready to prove himself worthy.

“Each level presents its own issues, its own problems, and its own increments, which is way there are so many levels of minor league development,” he said. “There are other sports that are more physically inclined that you’re able to dominate another player just because you’re more able than that person. Every single level I’ve gone up, I’ve learned more about myself as a hitter, more about the game. It’s obviously picked up, and it’s faster.”

He was one of the youngest players on the roster last season at both Portland and Worcester. Once he arrived at the Arizona Fall League, he was among players his own age, and that’s when he learned the difference and felt like he could finally dominate, which he did at the plate.

“I could definitely see a difference at all the levels, and I can’t wait to see the difference at the major league level,” he said.

Hard work lies ahead

Even though it appears the 2022 season could be the year Casas finally achieves his goal and earns his major league debut, he’s not taking anything for granted. He understands he still needs to work hard because it won’t be handed to him.

“I don’t have a timetable, but I’m trying to make it as quick as possible,” said Casas, who added that he wants to make an immediate impact when he’s finally promoted to Boston.

Since being selected 26th overall in the 2018 draft, Casas said being with the Red Sox organization has been a blessing. 

“These last five years I’ve been around a lot of high-character individuals who have really helped me progress as a baseball player, but more importantly as a human,” Casas said. “That speaks volumes to the people I’m around.”

While he’s focused on his future and reaching the big leagues, the current lockout between MLB and the players’ association could hinder his timetable. Still, he’s only worried about the things he can control and will no doubt be ready when that call comes.

“Eventually one day we’re going to play another game again,” he said. “We’re going to see who has been working, and who hasn’t. ... I don’t know when spring training is going to start, but I’m going to take every possible day to get better and come into spring training in the best shape possible.”

Psyched for Papi

On Tuesday, Casas watched as Red Sox legend David Ortiz earned election into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. Casas explained he has met Ortiz only once, during a spring training game on St. Patrick’s Day in 2019.

Since Ortiz is routinely around the club, Casas said he hopes to learn how to become a clutch player similar to the newest Hall of Famer. Casas said he watched the announcement and is pumped for Ortiz.

“It was awesome,” Casas said. “I know how much he means to the city of Boston and how much winning he’s done as a Red Sox. I can only hope to emulate a little bit of that, or even if I come close to half of it, it will be an accomplished career, because he’s done so much for the game and Red Sox Nation. I will try to represent as well as I can and he’s a good figure to follow.”

Similar to Ortiz, Casas hopes to put up some serious power numbers. It’s already evident the young hitter has the work ethic, desire and talent to put up impressive numbers.

Currently he’s 6-foot-5, 265 pounds and believes he hasn’t sacrificed any mobility for weight and strength during his development. He has put on 25 pounds since turning pro and is comfortable with his impressive frame.

He understands he’s still growing physically and mentally. He also possesses a high baseball IQ and admits he believes on-base percentage is much more important than slugging percentage. It’s a mature mindset for a young hitter, and it’s exactly what the Red Sox want from him. It also helps that Casas exudes confidence.

“To be a power hitter, you shouldn’t try to hit home runs, or try to make something happen,” he said. “I know I’m plenty big, plenty strong enough, and more than capable enough to tap into that power, it’s just a matter if I’m swinging at the right pitches in the right counts, and if I’m mentally engaged in what I’m trying to accomplish in the box.”

Learning to be patient

After having success at Double A, he quickly learned pitchers are much better, and not afraid at the higher levels. He hit .284 with 13 home runs and 52 RBIs in 77 games for the Sea Dogs. He only struck out 63 times in 329 plate appearances and drew 49 walks. After his promotion to Worcester, he hit .242 in nine games, including 3 doubles, 1 triple, 3 home runs and 7 RBIs.

Casas was able to remain consistent at the plate and in the field at first base.

“I realized once I started to be a little more patient, drawing more walks and stop swinging at fringe pitches, and stayed toward the hitter’s zone, as opposed to the strike zone, I was a lot better off,” he said. “That’s what I’m going to try to attack going into 2022.”

Casas said he feels close to where his swing needs to be heading into spring training. He really didn’t have too much of an offseason, and he has kept his daily routine in check all winter, while working out in Florida.

Hopefully COVID will be closer to being in the past this baseball season, and these prospects can finally experience a somewhat normal year.

“Either way, I know what my job is when I step into the box," he said, "so it doesn’t matter which state, which country, what time of day, I know I’m going to compete and that’s the most important thing."

—Contact Joe McDonald at JMcDonald2@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoeyMacHockey.