It’s been a disappointing year for the Boston Red Sox, who — despite a four-game winning streak — are in last place in the AL East 66-68. But even with the team — seven games out of the AL Wild Card race — almost surely not going to the playoffs, Red Sox fans are getting a reason to pay close attention in September.
Red Sox beat writer Chris Cotillo of MassLive reports that Boston will call up first baseman Triston Casas on Sunday.
BREAKING: Triston Casas will join the Red Sox tomorrow, source says.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) September 4, 2022
Julian McWilliams of The Boston Globe confirms the news, adding that first baseman Bobby Dalbec will be sent down to Triple-A Worcester.
Triston Casas will indeed be called up, confirming @ChrisCotillo report. To add to his reporting, Bobby Dalbec will be sent down to Worcester, source says.
— Julian McWilliams (@byJulianMack) September 4, 2022
Casas, 22, is the consensus top Red Sox prospect, as well as the top first base prospect in baseball. FanGraphs currently ranks Casas as the No. 14 overall prospect in baseball, while MLB Pipeline has him at No. 26 overall.
Boston selected Casas with the 26th overall pick (first round) of the 2018 MLB Draft. The lefty-swinging slugger is listed at 6’4″, 252 pounds.
Casas has put together a .272/.382/.481 slash line with 11 home runs and a 127 wRC+ over 317 plate appearances this season in Triple-A. He’s known for his plate discipline, walking 14.5% of the time (while striking out 21.5% of the time) this season in Triple-A.
Casas hits one to Holy Cross pic.twitter.com/ZuO38IYWVC
— Red Sox Stats (@redsoxstats) April 12, 2022
Most evaluators — and projection systems — expect Casas’ on-base, power game to translate well to the majors (at least in time). Defensively, despite limited athleticism, Casas is viewed as a solid first baseman.