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Physical Description: Strong,
imposing frame. Thick, fully developed lower half. Will have to
work to maintain body and athleticism, but has a strong work
ethic and long-term concerns on that issue are minimal. Very
long limbs. Has done a good job with conditioning early in his
career. Arrived at 2020 Alternate Training Site with a more
toned physique.
Hit: Starts slightly
open in a slight crouch. Quiet pre-pitch. Utilizes a leg lift
timing device and gets his foot down in time. Easy load, hips
really fire through. Plus bat speed; whips the bat through the
zone. Smooth, fluid swing, especially given his size. Strong
feel for hit. Utilizes all fields. Will always have some
swing-and-miss in his game, but for someone of his size, he has
it well under control. Will take a walk and shows a keen eye at
the plate. Has shown a willingness to try adjustments to his
swing and to move on if they are not working. Has used a
two-strike approach in which he widens his stance and chokes up
on the bat, but he has largely abandoned that as he has moved up
the ladder. Potential to develop an above-average hit tool.
Power: Plus-plus raw power. Easy all-fields
power. Power plays best to the pull side, but has shown the
ability to wait back and drive the ball the other way as well.
Has the ideal combination of size, strength, and bat speed for a
power hitter. Ball really jumps off his bat. Drives the ball
with backspin. Was among the Triple-A leaders in hard-hit
percentage in 2022. Potential for at least plus in-game power at
his peak.
Run: Well below-average speed.
Not a part of his game. Will likely continue to get slower as he
matures. Smart baserunner, reads the game well.
Field: Confident picking out throws in the dirt. Soft
hands and surprisingly fluid actions. Moves well enough for
first base. Potential solid-average defender there. Drafted as a
third baseman, but footwork was choppy, he lacked range, and
looked awkward fielding the ball there given his size.
Arm: Plus arm. Touched the low 90s on the mound
in high school. Would have been plenty of arm for third base had
he stuck there. |
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Career Notes: Was an old prospect for his draft
class, but reclassified in 2017 and graduated high school early
to enter the draft a year earlier. Reportedly put up some of the
highest exit velocities in the 2018 high school class. Excelled
in showcase events and led Team USA in home runs and RBI on the
way to winning the MVP of the U-18 Baseball World Cup. Attended
the same high school as Red Sox draft picks CJ Chatham, Shaun
Anderson, and Deven Marrero, as well as Eric Hosmer. Had
committed to the University of Miami. Tore the UCL in his right
thumb diving for a ground ball in his second game after signing
and missed the rest of the 2018 regular season after surgery.
For first month of 2019, tried to use a pronounced crouch at the
plate but struggled (.208/.284/.364, 35% K rate). Returned to a
more natural swing, saving crouch for two strikes, and improved
drastically, posting great numbers for his age even despite a
July slump (.267/.364/.506, 21% K rate). Entered 2020 season as
a top 100 prospect. Was a late addition to the Alternate
Training Site in 2020, where he impressed as one of the best
hitters in Pawtucket despite being one of the youngest and least
experienced players there. Participated in the Fall
Instructional League in 2018, 2019, and 2020, but did not play
in games in 2020. Entered 2021 as a consensus top 50 prospect.
Received a non-roster invitation to MLB spring training in 2021.
Played for Team USA in the 2021 Americas Olympic Qualifier and
at the 2021 Olympics, where he hit three home runs and was named
to the All-Olympic Team as the U.S. won the silver medal.
Participated in 2022 Winter Warm-Up. Entered 2022 as a consensus
top 50 prospect, ranked as high as 19th by Baseball America.
Received a non-roster invitation to MLB spring training in 2022.
Missed two months with a high ankle sprain between May and July
2022. Entered 2023 as a consensus top 25 prospect.
Summation: Potential everyday
regular. Ceiling of an all-star capable of hitting for both
average and significant power. Looks the part of a prototypical
bat-first first baseman capable of anchoring a lineup. Projects
to add some value defensively at first base as well. Hit tool
still needs development. Will have to ensure the swing-and-miss
in his game does not impact his ability to tap into his power.
Strong instincts and feel for the game. Great work ethic and
strong clubhouse presence. Student of the game, really looks to
hone his craft.
Links
Spring Training Video of Triston Casas (3.21.19)
Spring Training Video of Triston Casas 1 (3.23.19)
Spring Training Video of Triston Casas 2 (3.23.19)
State of the System: Corner Infielders (4.22.20)
Scouting Report Update (5.13.2020)
Scouting Report Update (7.29.2020)
Video from Pawtucket (9.2.2020)
Scouting Report Update (3.8.2021)
Scouting Scratch: Breaking Down the Arizona Fall League
Contingent (10.27.2021)
Countdown to Spring Training (3.14.2023) |
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