Alexi Casilla

{{Infobox baseball biography

| name = Alexi Casilla

| image = Alexi Casilla on April 7, 2013.jpg

| image_size = 250

| caption = Casilla with the Baltimore Orioles in 2013

| team =

| number =

| position = Second baseman

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1984|7|20}}

| birth_place = San Cristóbal, Dominican Republic

| bats = Switch

| throws = Right

| debutleague = MLB

| debutdate = September 1

| debutyear = 2006

| debutteam = Minnesota Twins

| finalleague = MLB

| finaldate = September 27

| finalyear = 2014

| finalteam = Baltimore Orioles

| statleague = MLB

| stat1label = Batting average

| stat1value = .247

| stat2label = Home runs

| stat2value = 12

| stat3label = Runs batted in

| stat3value = 157

| teams =

Minnesota Twins ({{mlby|2006}}–{{mlby|2012}})
Baltimore Orioles ({{mlby|2013}}–{{mlby|2014}})

}}

File:Alexi Casilla 2.jpg spring training]]

Alexi Casilla Lora (born July 20, 1984) is a Dominican former professional baseball second baseman. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Minnesota Twins and Baltimore Orioles.

Playing career

=Minnesota Twins=

Casilla was signed as a free agent by the Anaheim Angels in {{mlby|2003}}. On December 9, 2005, the Angels traded Casilla to the Minnesota Twins for pitcher J. C. Romero.{{Cite web |date=December 9, 2005 |title=Twins acquire infielder Alexi Casilla |url=http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20051209&content_id=1280050&vkey=pr_min&fext=.jsp&c_id=min |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060510092431/http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20051209&content_id=1280050&vkey=pr_min&fext=.jsp&c_id=min |archive-date=May 10, 2006 |access-date=April 10, 2023 |website=Minnesota Twins |publisher=MLB.com}} Casilla made his major league debut with the Twins on September 1, {{mlby|2006}}, appearing as a pinch-hitter in the seventh inning and drawing a walk in his first plate appearance.{{Cite web |date=September 1, 2006 |title=Minnesota Twins vs New York Yankees Box Score: September 1, 2006 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYA/NYA200609010.shtml |access-date=April 10, 2023 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}} In nine games with the Twins, Casilla was 1-for-4 (.250) with two walks.{{Cite web |title=Alexi Casilla Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/casilal01.shtml |access-date=April 10, 2023 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}

In {{mlby|2007}}, after a brief call-up with the Twins, Casilla became the everyday second baseman after Luis Castillo was traded to the New York Mets. Casilla struggled, producing a .222 batting average with no home runs and 9 runs batted in (RBI) in 56 games.

In {{mlby|2008}}, Casilla did not make the Twins Opening Day roster and instead started for the Twins Triple-A affiliate, the Rochester Red Wings. After an injury to infielder Nick Punto, Casilla was called up in May.{{cite news |last=Powers |first=Tom |date=June 6, 2008 |title=TOM POWERS: Alexi Casilla is a pleasant surprise for Minnesota Twins at second base |work=St. Paul Pioneer Press |url=http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_9496912 |url-status=live |access-date=June 25, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120212195432/http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_9496912 |archive-date=February 12, 2012}} On May 19, 2008, Casilla hit a three-run homer, his first career MLB home run against Texas Rangers.{{Cite web |date=May 20, 2008 |title=Twins' Clark's walk-off single in the 12th downs Rangers |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/280519109 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230411005542/https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/280519109 |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 11, 2023 |access-date=April 10, 2023 |website=ESPN |language=en |agency=Associated Press}} It was also his first hit of the 2008 season. Casilla spent the rest of the 2008 season as the Twins' starting second baseman and second hitter in the lineup. He finished the season batting .281 with seven home runs and 50 RBI in 98 games.

Casilla struggled to begin the {{mlby|2009}} season. After hitting only .167 in his first 84 at-bats, he was optioned to Triple-A Rochester.{{cite press release |work=MLB.com |url=http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20090506&content_id=4587516&vkey=pr_min&fext=.jsp&c_id=min |title=Twins recall infielder Matt Tolbert |date=May 6, 2009 |access-date=May 7, 2009 |archive-date=April 30, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140430004120/http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20090506&content_id=4587516&vkey=pr_min&fext=.jsp&c_id=min |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}} He was recalled and had a .202 average, 17 RBI, a .280 on-base percentage, and a .259 slugging percentage in 80 games. He had the most at-bats without a home run in the AL.

In 2009, during the 2009 AL Central tie-breaker game featuring the Twins against the Detroit Tigers, Casilla became the unlikely hero, hitting a game-winning walk-off single to score Carlos Gómez from second base in the bottom of the 12th inning.{{cite news |author=Murphy |first=Brian |date=October 7, 2009 |title=Alexi Casilla foresaw his big moment for the Twins |work=St. Paul Pioneer Press |url=http://www.twincities.com/topstories/ci_13502883 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305195807/http://www.twincities.com/topstories/ci_13502883 |archive-date=March 5, 2012}}

Prior to the {{mlby|2010}} season, Casilla changed his number from 25 to 12, giving number 25 to Jim Thome, who had worn the number for almost his entire 21-year career.

For most of the {{mlby|2011}} season, Casilla switched between second base and shortstop, sometimes filling in for Tsuyoshi Nishioka, who was injured for the first two months of the season. In 97 games, Casilla hit .260 with two home runs and 21 RBI.

Casilla made the Twins' Opening Day roster in 2012 and got off to a relatively slow start in his first 16 games. For the season, he played in a career high 106 games, hitting .241 with a home run and 30 RBI.

=Baltimore Orioles=

On November 2, 2012, Casilla was claimed off waivers by the Baltimore Orioles.{{cite news |author=Connolly |first=Dan |date=November 2, 2012 |title=Orioles claim second baseman Alexi Casilla off waivers from the Twins |newspaper=The Baltimore Sun |url=http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-orioles-claim-second-baseman-alexi-casilla-off-waivers-from-twins-20121102,0,1941052.story |url-status=dead |access-date=November 2, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105045925/http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-orioles-claim-second-baseman-alexi-casilla-off-waivers-from-twins-20121102%2C0%2C1941052.story |archive-date=November 5, 2013}} On November 30, Casilla signed a one-year, $1.7 million deal with a club option for 2014 to avoid arbitration with Baltimore.{{cite web |last=Connolly |first=Dan |date=November 30, 2012 |title=Orioles, Alexi Casilla agree to 1-year deal for $1.7M with option for 2014 |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2012/11/30/orioles-alexi-casilla-agree-to-1-year-deal-for-17m-with-option-for-2014/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105045922/http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2012-11-30/sports/bal-orioles-alexi-casilla-agree-to-deal-1130_1_baseball-salaries-orioles-arbitration |archive-date=November 5, 2013 |access-date=November 5, 2013 |work=The Baltimore Sun}}

Casilla made the Opening Day roster with the Orioles in 2013. After Brian Roberts went down with an injury three games into the season, Casilla entered a platoon with Ryan Flaherty at second base. Through June, Casilla was hitting .222 with 8 RBI and 10 runs scored. When Roberts returned on June 30, Casilla's playing time drastically diminished, leading to only four appearances in all of July, and 20 appearances after June despite being healthy. In 62 games (31 starts) in 2013, Casilla hit .214 with a home run, 10 RBI and 15 runs scored. He did not make an error in 170 chances in the field, with 169 of those being at second base.

On November 4, Casilla had his $3 million club option declined, and was instead paid the $200,000 buyout, becoming a free agent.{{cite web |last=Connolly |first=Dan |date=November 4, 2013 |title=Orioles decline Alexi Casilla's option for 2014, make other procedural moves |url=http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bs-sp-orioles-roster-moves-1105-20131104,0,4750612.story |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105045928/http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bs-sp-orioles-roster-moves-1105-20131104%2C0%2C4750612.story |archive-date=November 5, 2013 |access-date=November 5, 2013 |work=The Baltimore Sun}}

On January 10, 2014, Casilla re-signed with the Orioles on a minor league contract.{{cite news |author=Brown |first=Mark |date=January 10, 2014 |title=Orioles sign Alexi Casilla to minor league deal with spring training invite |work=Camden Chat |publisher=SB Nation |url=http://www.camdenchat.com/2014/1/10/5297028/orioles-news-alexi-casilla-contract-tootblan |url-status=live |access-date=June 13, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140613001618/http://www.camdenchat.com/2014/1/10/5297028/orioles-news-alexi-casilla-contract-tootblan |archive-date=June 13, 2014}} By April 17, he was replaced by Jonathan Schoop due to his strained hamstring.{{cite news |author=Odom |first=Jeff |date=March 16, 2014 |title=Adam Jones returns to lineup but Orioles lose to Blue Jays 4-3 in 10 innings |work=Times Colonist |agency=Associated Press |url=http://www.timescolonist.com/adam-jones-returns-to-lineup-but-orioles-lose-to-blue-jays-4-3-in-10-innings-1.901372 |url-status=dead |access-date=April 30, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140430025311/http://www.timescolonist.com/adam-jones-returns-to-lineup-but-orioles-lose-to-blue-jays-4-3-in-10-innings-1.901372 |archive-date=April 30, 2014}}

=Tampa Bay Rays=

Casilla signed a minor league deal with the Tampa Bay Rays on February 2, 2015.{{cite news |last1=Chastain |first1=Bill |date=February 2, 2015 |title=Rays sign Belisario, Casilla to Minors deals |work=Tampa Bay Rays |publisher=MLB.com |url=https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/rays-sign-ronald-belisario-alexi-casilla-to-minors-deals/c-108175562 |access-date=March 31, 2015}} He was released on March 31.{{cite news |last1=Chastain |first1=Bill |date=March 31, 2015 |title=Rays release infielder Casilla |work=Tampa Bay Rays |publisher=MLB.com |url=http://m.rays.mlb.com/news/article/115683744/rays-release-infielder-alexi-casilla |url-status=dead |access-date=March 31, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402132108/http://m.rays.mlb.com/news/article/115683744/rays-release-infielder-alexi-casilla |archive-date=April 2, 2015}} The Rays re-signed him to a minor league contract on April 9.{{Cite web |last=Polishuk |first=Mark |date=April 9, 2015 |title=Rays Re-Sign Alexi Casilla |url=http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/04/rays-re-sign-alexi-casilla.html |website=MLB Trade Rumors}}

=Detroit Tigers=

On June 29, 2015, the Tampa Bay Rays traded Casilla to the Detroit Tigers in exchange for a player to be named later.{{cite news|title=Tigers add Alexi Casilla in minor league trade|url=http://www.freep.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2015/06/29/detroit-tigers-alexi-casilla/29480919/|first=Anthony|last=Fenech|access-date=June 29, 2015|newspaper=Detroit Free Press|date=June 29, 2015}} He elected free agency on November 6.

=Toronto Blue Jays=

On March 9, 2016, Casilla signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays organization.{{cite web |last=Eddy |first=Matt |date=March 14, 2016 |title=MINOR LEAGUE TRANSACTIONS: MARCH 4-10 |url=http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/minor-league-transactions-march-4-10-2/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315102711/http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/minor-league-transactions-march-4-10-2/ |archive-date=March 15, 2016 |access-date=April 10, 2023 |work=Baseball America}} In 83 games for the Triple–A Buffalo Bisons, he batted .241/.296/.319 with two home runs, 16 RBI, and five stolen bases. Casilla elected free agency following the season on November 7.{{Cite web|title=Minor League Free Agents 2016|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2016/|access-date=August 4, 2024|website=baseballamerica.com|date=8 November 2016 |language=en}}

=York Revolution=

On May 24, 2017, Casilla signed with the York Revolution of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.{{Cite web |date=May 24, 2017 |title=REVS SIGN ALEXI CASILLA |url=https://yorkrevolution.com/revs-sign-alexi-casilla/ |access-date=April 10, 2023 |website=York Revolution |language=en-US}} On November 1, 2017, he became a free agent. In 62 games he hit .358/.410/.496 with 4 home runs, 34 RBIs and 6 stolen bases.

On February 16, 2018, Casilla re-signed with the Revolution.{{Cite web |title=2018 Transactions |url=http://alpb.bbstats.pointstreak.com/transactions.html?leagueid=174 |website=Atlantic League of Professional Baseball}} In 108 games he hit .336/.384/.418 with 3 home runs, 36 RBIs and 16 stolen bases.

He re-signed again for the 2019 season on February 27, 2019,{{Cite web |date=February 27, 2019 |title=MLB Veteran Casilla Returns to York for 2019 Season |url=http://www.atlanticleague.com/news/index.html?article_id=1121 |access-date=April 10, 2023 |website=Atlantic League of Professional Baseball |language=en}} and became a free agent after the season. In 32 games he hit .300/.331/.431 with 3 home runs, 9 RBIs and 1 stolen base.

Coaching career

On January 16, 2024, Casilla was announced as the hitting coach for the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.{{Cite web|title=Ducks 2024 Coaching Staff Announced|url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/ducks-2024-coaching-staff-announced/n-6048671|access-date=January 19, 2024|website=oursportscentral.com|date=16 January 2024 |language=en}}