Triston Ray Casas (born January 15, 2000) is an American professional baseball first baseman for the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB). The Red Sox selected him in the first round of the 2018 MLB draft and he made his MLB debut in 2022. Casas was a member of the United States national baseball team at the 2020 Summer Olympics, which won the silver medal.

Triston Casas
Casas with the Portland Sea Dogs in 2021
Boston Red Sox – No. 36
First baseman
Born: (2000-01-15) January 15, 2000 (age 24)
Pembroke Pines, Florida, U.S.
Bats: Left
Throws: Right
MLB debut
September 4, 2022, for the Boston Red Sox
Career statistics
(through 2024 season)
Batting average.250
Home runs42
Runs batted in109
Teams
Medals
Men's baseball
Representing  United States
U-18 Baseball World Cup
Gold medal – first place 2017 Thunder Bay Team
Olympic Games
Silver medal – second place 2020 Tokyo Team

Amateur career

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Casas played high school baseball at American Heritage School in Plantation, Florida, where he played both corner infield positions.[1] In two varsity seasons at American Heritage, Casas had a .414 batting average with 11 home runs and 53 runs batted in (RBIs) in 53 games played.[2] He reclassified and graduated high school a year early to be eligible for the Major League Baseball (MLB) draft.[3] He played in the Under Armour All-America Baseball Game in both 2016 and 2017.[4][5][6]

Professional career

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The Boston Red Sox chose Casas in the first round, with the 26th overall selection, of the 2018 MLB draft.[7] He signed with the Red Sox, receiving a $2,552,800 signing bonus, the full slot value for the pick.[8] He was assigned to Boston's Rookie League team, the Gulf Coast League Red Sox.[9] In a game on June 25, Casas was injured while playing third base; he subsequently underwent season-ending surgery on June 29,[10] to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right thumb.[11]

Casas began 2019 with the Greenville Drive of the Single–A South Atlantic League.[12] In early June, he was named to the South Atlantic League All-Star Game.[13] In mid-June, Casas was added to the top 100 prospects list of Baseball America, at number 98.[14] In late August, he was named a South Atlantic League Postseason All-Star,[15] and recognition from Baseball America as the Red Sox 2019 Minor League Player Of The Year.[16][17] On September 1, Casas was promoted to the High–A Salem Red Sox.[18] In mid-September, he was named the Red Sox' minor league offensive player of the year.[19] Over 122 games between the two clubs, Casas slashed .254/.349/.476 with 20 home runs and 81 RBI.[20]

During 2020, with no minor league season due to the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown, the Red Sox added Casas to their pool of reserve players on August 20, so he could participate in intra-squad workouts.[21] He was subsequently invited to participate in the Red Sox' fall instructional league.[22] Following the 2020 season, Casas was ranked by Baseball America as the Red Sox' number one prospect.[23] Casas began the 2021 season in Double-A with the Portland Sea Dogs.[24] In addition to playing 77 games for Portland, Casas also appeared in nine games for the Triple-A Worcester Red Sox, batting a combined .279 with 14 home runs and 59 RBI.[25] After the regular season, Casas was selected to play in the Arizona Fall League,[26] and was named the starting first baseman for the East team in the league's annual Fall Stars Game.[27]

The Red Sox invited Casas to spring training as a non-roster player in 2022.[28] He returned to Worcester to start the season.[29] In May 2022, he was ranked 18th in the list of baseball's top 100 prospects by Baseball America.[30] Casas sustained a high ankle sprain in mid-May, causing him to miss over a month of playing time.[31] The Red Sox promoted Casas to the major leagues on September 4,[32] and he made his MLB debut that day.[33] In his debut, Casas recorded his first career hit, a single off of John King of the Texas Rangers.[34] Two days later, he hit his first career home run off of J. T. Chargois of the Tampa Bay Rays.[35] In 27 games with Boston, he batted .197 with five home runs and 12 RBI.[36] In 72 games with Triple-A Worcester, he batted .273 with 11 home runs and 38 RBI.[25] After the season, he played for Tigres del Licey in the Dominican Winter League.[25]

In January 2023, Casas was ranked 29th in the Baseball America list of top 100 prospects.[37] Casas was Boston's opening day first baseman to start the 2023 season. However, he struggled in the first month of his first full major league season, hitting only .137 over 24 games in April. However, once April ended, Casas turned it around and established himself as the Red Sox' regular first baseman. For the month of July, he received the AL Rookie of the Month Award after batting .348 with seven home runs and 13 RBI in 21 games.[38] In mid-August, he missed two games at Yankee Stadium due to a tooth infection.[39] Casas was placed on the injured list on September 16 due to right shoulder inflammation.[40] Two days later, Casas was shut down by the Red Sox, ending his rookie season.[41] He batted .263 with 24 home runs and 65 RBI over 132 games. He was subsequently named a finalist for a Silver Slugger Award,[42] and for the American League Rookie of the Year Award.[43]

Casas began the 2024 season as Boston's regular first baseman. Through 22 games, he had six home runs and 10 RBI, then was placed on the injured list on April 21 due to a rib injury.[44] A fractured rib was subsequently diagnosed, with no clear timetable for his return to the team.[45] On April 27, he was transferred to the 60-day injured list.[46] Casas was activated on August 16.[47]

International career

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Casas played on the 18-under United States national baseball team,[1] and was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2017 U-18 Baseball World Cup.[48]

In May 2021, Casas was named to the roster of the United States national baseball team for the qualifiers to the baseball tournament at the 2020 Summer Olympics, contested in 2021 in Tokyo.[49] After the team qualified, he was named to the Olympics roster on July 2.[50] During the tournament, Casas hit home runs against South Korea, Japan, and the Dominican Republic.[51] The team went on to win silver, losing to hosts Japan in the gold medal game.[52]

Personal life

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Casas' brother, Gavin, is currently a college baseball first baseman for the University of South Carolina Gamecocks.[53] He played his freshman and sophomore years for the Vanderbilt Commodores.[54]

References

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  1. ^ a b Fernandez, Andre C. (June 4, 2018). "Many scouts think he can become the face of a franchise. Will the Marlins draft him?". Miami Herald.
  2. ^ "Triston Casas' Baseball Stats". maxpreps.com. Retrieved June 9, 2018.
  3. ^ Manuel, John (January 25, 2017). "Triston Casas Reclassifies For 2018". Baseball America.
  4. ^ Ferguson, Andy (July 24, 2016). "Box Score – 2016 Under Armour All-America Game". baseballfactory.com. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  5. ^ Dusenbury, Wells (March 21, 2017). "American Heritage's Casas selected to All America Game". Sun-Sentinel. Deerfield Beach, Florida.
  6. ^ Lund, Matt (August 10, 2017). "Box Score – 2017 Under Armour All-America Game". baseballfactory.com. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  7. ^ Furones, David (June 4, 2018). "American Heritage 1B, UM signee Triston Casas drafted by Red Sox, his 'dream team'". Sun-Sentinel. Deerfield Beach, Florida.
  8. ^ "Red Sox sign first-round Draft pick Casas". MLB.com. June 14, 2018. Retrieved June 14, 2018.
  9. ^ "GCL Red Sox Roster". milb.com. Retrieved June 21, 2018.
  10. ^ O'Malley, Nick (June 29, 2018). "Boston Red Sox first-round pick Triston Casas will miss rest of season following thumb surgery". masslive.com. Retrieved June 30, 2018.
  11. ^ "Top Red Sox draft pick Triston Casas out for season after thumb surgery". The Boston Globe. June 29, 2018. Retrieved June 30, 2018 – via Boston.com.
  12. ^ "Greenville Drive Preview". April 4, 2019.
  13. ^ Bloss, Joe (June 4, 2019). "Rodriguez, Casas headline SAL All-Stars". MiLB.com. Retrieved June 9, 2019.
  14. ^ Collins, Matt (June 13, 2019). "Two Red Sox prospects land on Baseball America's updated top 100". overthemonster.com. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
  15. ^ "Triston Casas Named South Atlantic League All-Star". MiLB.com. Greenville Drive. August 27, 2019. Retrieved August 27, 2019.
  16. ^ Speier, Alex (August 29, 2019). "Triston Casas: Red Sox 2019 Minor League Player Of The Year". Baseball America. Retrieved August 30, 2019.
  17. ^ Smith, Christopher (August 30, 2019). "Triston Casas named 2019 Boston Red Sox Minor League Player of the Year by Baseball America". masslive.com. Retrieved August 30, 2019.
  18. ^ "Triston Casas Stats, Highlights, Bio". MiLB.com. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  19. ^ @alexspeier (September 18, 2019). "Red Sox announce their minor league players of the year" (Tweet). Retrieved September 18, 2019 – via Twitter.
  20. ^ McWilliams, Julian (September 4, 2020). "Triston Casas has a plan at the plate, and it's getting attention in Pawtucket". The Boston Globe.
  21. ^ Browne, Ian (August 20, 2020). "Red Sox add No. 2 prospect Casas to pool". MLB.com. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  22. ^ Hatfield, Chris (October 4, 2020). "Red Sox 2020 Fall Instructional Camp roster and details". SoxProspects.com. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  23. ^ Speier, Alex (November 12, 2020). "Ranking the top prospects in the Red Sox' farm system". The Boston Globe. Retrieved November 12, 2020.
  24. ^ Avallone, Michael (May 13, 2021). "Casas homers twice, plates 6 in 4-hit night". MiLB.com. Retrieved May 13, 2021.
  25. ^ a b c "Triston Casas Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 22, 2022.
  26. ^ Cundall, Ian (October 27, 2021). "Scouting Scratch: Breaking down the Arizona Fall League contingent". Sox Prospects. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  27. ^ "Here are lineups for tonight's Fall Stars Game". MLB.com. November 13, 2021. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  28. ^ "Triston Casas, One of Red Sox Top Prospects, Among Non-Roster Invitees for Spring Training". March 12, 2022.
  29. ^ Callis, Jim (April 6, 2022). "Here's where Red Sox Top 30 prospects are starting '22". MLB.com. Retrieved April 10, 2022.
  30. ^ Collins, Matt (May 4, 2022). "Five Red Sox prospects land Baseball America's latest top 100". overthemonster.com. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  31. ^ Abraham, Peter (June 19, 2022). "Red Sox facing some decisions in getting roster down to 13 pitchers". The Boston Globe. Retrieved June 19, 2022.
  32. ^ Browne, Ian (September 4, 2022). "Red Sox call up No. 2 prospect Casas". MLB.com. Retrieved September 4, 2022.
  33. ^ Abraham, Peter (September 4, 2022). "Debut of Triston Casas is a winning one, as Red Sox finish four-game sweep of the Rangers". The Boston Globe. Retrieved September 4, 2022.
  34. ^ Roche, Conor (September 4, 2022). "Watch: Triston Casas records an infield single for first MLB hit, practices earthing prior to debut". boston.com. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
  35. ^ "WATCH: Triston Casas Hits First Career Home Run, Red Sox Ignore Him". si.com. September 6, 2022. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
  36. ^ "Triston Casas Stats". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 22, 2022.
  37. ^ Abraham, Peter (January 21, 2023). "Sunday Baseball Notes". The Boston Globe. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  38. ^ "Triston Casas of the Boston Red Sox named the American League Rookie of the Month for July". MLB.com (Press release). August 2, 2023. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  39. ^ McWilliams, Julian (August 19, 2023). "Red Sox' Triston Casas a late scratch against Yankees because of tooth infection". The Boston Globe. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
  40. ^ McCarthy, Colin (September 16, 2023). "Red Sox place Triston Casas on 10-day injured list, recall Bobby Dalbec from Triple-A Worcester". Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  41. ^ "Triston Casas Shut Down, Likely Done for the Year". September 18, 2023.
  42. ^ Adler, David; Randhawa, Manny (November 2, 2023). "Silver Slugger Award finalists announced". MLB.com. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
  43. ^ "BBWAA Awards finalists unveiled on MLB Network". MLB.com. November 6, 2023. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  44. ^ Roche, Conor (April 21, 2024). "Triston Casas placed on 10-day injured list with rib injury, Alex Cora remains 'concerned'". Boston.com. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
  45. ^ Abraham, Peter (April 23, 2024). "Red Sox continue to encounter obstacles with injuries and the continued absence of Rafael Devers". The Boston Globe. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
  46. ^ Speier, Alex (April 27, 2024). "Red Sox acquire first baseman/left fielder Garrett Cooper from Cubs". The Boston Globe. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  47. ^ "Red Sox Designate Dominic Smith For Assignment". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved August 16, 2024.
  48. ^ "U-18 Baseball World Cup: quotes by WBSC President, managers and MVP Casas". WBSC. November 9, 2017. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  49. ^ "Team USA Announces Olympic Qualifying Roster". usabaseball.com. May 30, 2021. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
  50. ^ "USA Baseball announces Olympics roster". MLB.com. July 2, 2021. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
  51. ^ "Casas homers to lead U.S. Over South Korea". July 31, 2021.
  52. ^ "Baseball/Softball - United States vs Japan - Gold Medal Game Results". olympics.com. August 7, 2021. Archived from the original on August 16, 2021. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
  53. ^ "Gavin Casas". University of South Carolina Athletics. December 8, 2022. Retrieved April 8, 2023.
  54. ^ "Gavin Casas". Vanderbilt University Athletics - Official Athletics Website. January 20, 2021. Retrieved April 8, 2023.

Further reading

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