Triston Casas

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name = Triston Casas

|image = Casas Triston (2).jpg

|team = Boston Red Sox

|number = 36

|position = First baseman

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|2000|1|15}}

|birth_place = Pembroke Pines, Florida, U.S.

|bats = Left

|throws = Right

|debutleague = MLB

|debutyear = 2022

|debutdate = September 4

|debutteam = Boston Red Sox

|statyear = April 24, 2025

|stat1label = Batting average

|stat1value = .241

|stat2label = Home runs

|stat2value = 43

|stat3label = Runs batted in

|stat3value = 119

|teams =

Boston Red Sox ({{mlby|2022}}–present)

|awards =

Tokyo 2020 All-Olympic Baseball Team ({{baseball year|2021}})

| medaltemplates =

{{MedalCountry | {{bb|USA}}}}

|caption=Casas with the Portland Sea Dogs in 2021}}

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.

Amateur career

Casas played high school baseball at American Heritage School in Plantation, Florida, where he played both corner infield positions.{{cite news |url=http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/mlb/miami-marlins/article212360304.html |title=Many scouts think he can become the face of a franchise. Will the Marlins draft him? |first=Andre C. |last=Fernandez |newspaper=Miami Herald |date=June 4, 2018}} 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.{{cite web |url=http://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/triston-casas/vBpZe_H-EeaT-Oz0u-e-FA/gendersport/baseball-stats.htm |title=Triston Casas' Baseball Stats |website=maxpreps.com |accessdate=June 9, 2018}} He reclassified and graduated high school a year early to be eligible for the Major League Baseball (MLB) draft.{{cite web |url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/triston-casas-reclassifies-for-2018/ |title=Triston Casas Reclassifies For 2018 |first=John |last=Manuel |website=Baseball America |date=January 25, 2017}} He played in the Under Armour All-America Baseball Game in both 2016 and 2017.{{cite web |url=https://www.baseballfactory.com/box-score-2016-armour-america-game/ |title=Box Score – 2016 Under Armour All-America Game |first=Andy |last=Ferguson |website=baseballfactory.com |date=July 24, 2016 |accessdate=June 12, 2018}}{{cite news |url=http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/highschool/baseball/broward/fl-sp-hs-baseball-triston-casas-all-america-game-20170321-story.html |title=American Heritage's Casas selected to All America Game |first=Wells |last=Dusenbury |newspaper=Sun-Sentinel |location=Deerfield Beach, Florida |date=March 21, 2017}}{{cite web |url=https://www.baseballfactory.com/box-score-2017-under-armour-all-america-game/ |title=Box Score – 2017 Under Armour All-America Game |first=Matt |last=Lund |website=baseballfactory.com |date=August 10, 2017 |accessdate=June 12, 2018}}

Professional career

The Boston Red Sox chose Casas in the first round, with the 26th overall selection, of the 2018 MLB draft.{{cite news |url=http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/highschool/baseball/broward/fl-sp-baseball-draft-triston-casas-20180604-story.html |title=American Heritage 1B, UM signee Triston Casas drafted by Red Sox, his 'dream team' |first=David |last=Furones |newspaper=Sun-Sentinel |location=Deerfield Beach, Florida |date=June 4, 2018}} He signed with the Red Sox, receiving a $2,552,800 signing bonus, the full slot value for the pick.{{cite news |url=https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/red-sox-sign-first-round-pick-triston-casas/c-281239246 |title=Red Sox sign first-round Draft pick Casas |website=MLB.com |date=June 14, 2018 |accessdate=June 14, 2018}} He was assigned to Boston's Rookie League team, the Gulf Coast League Red Sox.{{cite web |url=http://www.milb.com/roster/index.jsp?cid=471 |title=GCL Red Sox Roster |website=milb.com |accessdate=June 21, 2018}} In a game on June 25, Casas was injured while playing third base; he subsequently underwent season-ending surgery on June 29,{{cite news |url=https://www.masslive.com/redsox/index.ssf/2018/06/boston_red_sox_first-round_pic_2.html |title=Boston Red Sox first-round pick Triston Casas will miss rest of season following thumb surgery |first=Nick |last=O'Malley |website=masslive.com |date=June 29, 2018 |accessdate=June 30, 2018}} to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right thumb.{{cite news |url=https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-red-sox/2018/06/29/triston-casas-thumb-surgery |title=Top Red Sox draft pick Triston Casas out for season after thumb surgery |newspaper=The Boston Globe |via=Boston.com |date=June 29, 2018 |accessdate=June 30, 2018}}

Casas began 2019 with the Greenville Drive of the Single–A South Atlantic League.{{Cite web|url=https://www.overthemonster.com/2019/4/4/18294668/2019-greenville-drive-preview-red-sox-prospects|title=Greenville Drive Preview|date=April 4, 2019}} In early June, he was named to the South Atlantic League All-Star Game.{{cite news |url=https://www.milb.com/milb/news/grayson-rodriguez-triston-casas-headline-south-atlantic-league-all-stars/c-307690788 |title=Rodriguez, Casas headline SAL All-Stars |first=Joe |last=Bloss |website=MiLB.com |date=June 4, 2019 |accessdate=June 9, 2019}} In mid-June, Casas was added to the top 100 prospects list of Baseball America, at number 98.{{cite web |url=https://www.overthemonster.com/2019/6/13/18677315/two-red-sox-prospects-land-on-baseball-americas-updated-top-100 |title=Two Red Sox prospects land on Baseball America's updated top 100 |first=Matt |last=Collins |website=overthemonster.com |date=June 13, 2019 |accessdate=June 14, 2019}} In late August, he was named a South Atlantic League Postseason All-Star,{{cite news |url=https://www.milb.com/greenville/news/triston-casas-named-south-atlantic-league-all-star/c-310332052 |title=Triston Casas Named South Atlantic League All-Star |publisher=Greenville Drive |website=MiLB.com |date=August 27, 2019 |accessdate=August 27, 2019}} and recognition from Baseball America as the Red Sox 2019 Minor League Player Of The Year.{{cite news |url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/triston-casas-red-sox-2019-minor-league-player-of-the-year/ |title=Triston Casas: Red Sox 2019 Minor League Player Of The Year |first=Alex |last=Speier |website=Baseball America |date=August 29, 2019 |accessdate=August 30, 2019}}{{cite news |url=https://www.masslive.com/redsox/2019/08/triston-casas-named-2019-boston-red-sox-minor-leaguer-of-year-by-baseball-america.html |title=Triston Casas named 2019 Boston Red Sox Minor League Player of the Year by Baseball America |first=Christopher |last=Smith |website=masslive.com |date=August 30, 2019 |accessdate=August 30, 2019}} On September 1, Casas was promoted to the High–A Salem Red Sox.{{cite web |url=http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?sid=t414&player_id=671213#/ |title=Triston Casas Stats, Highlights, Bio |website=MiLB.com |accessdate=September 2, 2019}} In mid-September, he was named the Red Sox' minor league offensive player of the year.{{cite tweet |user=alexspeier |number=1174356655586316289 |title=Red Sox announce their minor league players of the year |date=September 18, 2019 |accessdate=September 18, 2019}} Over 122 games between the two clubs, Casas slashed .254/.349/.476 with 20 home runs and 81 RBI.{{cite news |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/09/04/sports/triston-casas-has-plan-plate-its-turning-heads-pawtucket/ |title=Triston Casas has a plan at the plate, and it's getting attention in Pawtucket |first=Julian |last=McWilliams |website=The Boston Globe |url-access=limited |date=September 4, 2020}}

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.{{cite news |url=https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/triston-casas-added-to-red-sox-player-pool |title=Red Sox add No. 2 prospect Casas to pool |first=Ian |last=Browne |website=MLB.com |date=August 20, 2020 |accessdate=August 20, 2020}} He was subsequently invited to participate in the Red Sox' fall instructional league.{{cite news |url=http://news.soxprospects.com/2020/10/red-sox-2020-fall-instructional-camp.html |title=Red Sox 2020 Fall Instructional Camp roster and details |first=Chris |last=Hatfield |website=SoxProspects.com |date=October 4, 2020 |accessdate=October 15, 2020}} Following the 2020 season, Casas was ranked by Baseball America as the Red Sox' number one prospect.{{cite news |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/11/12/sports/red-sox-top-prospects-ranking/ |title=Ranking the top prospects in the Red Sox' farm system |first=Alex |last=Speier |website=The Boston Globe |url-access=limited |date=November 12, 2020 |accessdate=November 12, 2020}} Casas began the 2021 season in Double-A with the Portland Sea Dogs.{{cite news |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/red-sox-triston-casas-fills-up-box-score?t=redsox-pipeline-coverage |title=Casas homers twice, plates 6 in 4-hit night |first=Michael |last=Avallone |website=MiLB.com |date=May 13, 2021 |accessdate=May 13, 2021}} 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. After the regular season, Casas was selected to play in the Arizona Fall League,{{cite web |url=http://news.soxprospects.com/2021/10/scouting-scratch-breaking-down-arizona.html |title=Scouting Scratch: Breaking down the Arizona Fall League contingent |first=Ian |last=Cundall |website=Sox Prospects |date=October 27, 2021 |accessdate=October 29, 2021}} and was named the starting first baseman for the East team in the league's annual Fall Stars Game.{{cite news |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/arizona-fall-league-fall-stars-game-2021?t=arizona-fall-league-coverage |title=Here are lineups for tonight's Fall Stars Game |website=MLB.com |date=November 13, 2021 |accessdate=November 13, 2021}}

The Red Sox invited Casas to spring training as a non-roster player in 2022.{{Cite web|url=https://boston.cbslocal.com/2022/03/12/triston-cases-boston-red-sox-non-roster-invitees/|title = Triston Casas, One of Red Sox Top Prospects, Among Non-Roster Invitees for Spring Training|date = March 12, 2022}} He returned to Worcester to start the season.{{cite news |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/where-red-sox-prospects-are-starting-2022-season |title=Here's where Red Sox Top 30 prospects are starting '22 |first=Jim |last=Callis |website=MLB.com |date=April 6, 2022 |accessdate=April 10, 2022}} In May 2022, he was ranked 18th in the list of baseball's top 100 prospects by Baseball America.{{cite news |url=https://www.overthemonster.com/2022/5/4/23056760/boston-red-sox-top-prospects-marcelo-mayer-triston-casas-nick-yorke-jarren-duran-brayan-bello |title=Five Red Sox prospects land Baseball America's latest top 100 |first=Matt |last=Collins |website=overthemonster.com |date=May 4, 2022 |accessdate=May 4, 2022}} Casas sustained a high ankle sprain in mid-May, causing him to miss over a month of playing time.{{cite news |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/06/19/sports/red-sox-facing-some-decisions-getting-roster-down-13-pitchers/ |title=Red Sox facing some decisions in getting roster down to 13 pitchers |first=Peter |last=Abraham |website=The Boston Globe |url-access=limited |date=June 19, 2022 |accessdate=June 19, 2022}} The Red Sox promoted Casas to the major leagues on September 4,{{cite news |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/triston-casas-called-up-by-red-sox |title=Red Sox call up No. 2 prospect Casas |first=Ian |last=Browne |website=MLB.com |date=September 4, 2022 |accessdate=September 4, 2022}} and he made his MLB debut that day.{{cite web|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/09/04/sports/debut-triston-casas-is-winning-one-red-sox-finish-four-game-sweep-texas/|title=Debut of Triston Casas is a winning one, as Red Sox finish four-game sweep of the Rangers|first=Peter|last=Abraham|work=The Boston Globe|date=September 4, 2022 |accessdate=September 4, 2022}} In his debut, Casas recorded his first career hit, a single off of John King of the Texas Rangers.{{Cite news|title=Watch: Triston Casas records an infield single for first MLB hit, practices earthing prior to debut|url=https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-red-sox/2022/09/04/triston-casas-first-mlb-hit-earthing-red-sox-video/?amp=1|access-date=June 16, 2023|website=boston.com| date=September 4, 2022 |language=en | last1=Roche | first1=Conor }} Two days later, he hit his first career home run off of J. T. Chargois of the Tampa Bay Rays.{{Cite web|title=WATCH: Triston Casas Hits First Career Home Run, Red Sox Ignore Him|url=https://www.si.com/fannation/mlb/fastball/news/watch-triston-casas-hits-first-career-home-run-red-sox-ignore-him|access-date=June 16, 2023|website=si.com|date=September 6, 2022 |language=en}} In 27 games with Boston, he batted .197 with five home runs and 12 RBI.{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/casastr01.shtml |title=Triston Casas Stats |website=Baseball-Reference.com |accessdate=October 22, 2022}} In 72 games with Triple-A Worcester, he batted .273 with 11 home runs and 38 RBI. After the season, he played for Tigres del Licey in the Dominican Winter League.{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=casas-000tri |title=Triston Casas Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics & History |website=Baseball-Reference.com |accessdate=October 22, 2022}}

In January 2023, Casas was ranked 29th in the Baseball America list of top 100 prospects.{{cite news |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/01/21/sports/this-is-how-we-ranked-30-major-league-managers/ |title=Sunday Baseball Notes |first=Peter |last=Abraham |website=The Boston Globe |url-access=limited |date=January 21, 2023 |accessdate=January 22, 2023}} 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.{{cite press release |url=https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press-release-triston-casas-francisco-alvarez-rookies-of-the-month-july |title=Triston Casas of the Boston Red Sox named the American League Rookie of the Month for July |website=MLB.com |date=August 2, 2023 |accessdate=August 3, 2023}} In mid-August, he missed two games at Yankee Stadium due to a tooth infection.{{cite news |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/08/19/sports/red-sox-triston-casas-late-scratch-against-yankees-because-tooth-infection/ |title=Red Sox' Triston Casas a late scratch against Yankees because of tooth infection |first=Julian |last=McWilliams |website=The Boston Globe |url-access=limited |date=August 19, 2023 |accessdate=August 19, 2023}} Casas was placed on the injured list on September 16 due to right shoulder inflammation.{{cite news |url=https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-red-sox/2023/09/16/red-sox-triston-casas-10-day-injured-list-bobby-dalbec/ |title=Red Sox place Triston Casas on 10-day injured list, recall Bobby Dalbec from Triple-A Worcester |first=Colin |last=McCarthy |date=September 16, 2023 |accessdate=September 16, 2023}} Two days later, Casas was shut down by the Red Sox, ending his rookie season.{{cite web | url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/09/triston-casas-shut-down-likely-done-for-the-year.html#:~:text=Two%20days%20after%20placing%20Triston,Speier%20of%20The%20Boston%20Globe) | title=Triston Casas Shut Down, Likely Done for the Year | date=September 18, 2023 }} He batted .263 with 24 home runs and 65 RBI over 132 games. He was subsequently named a finalist for a Silver Slugger Award,{{cite news |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/silver-slugger-award-finalists-2023 |title=Silver Slugger Award finalists announced |first1=David |last1=Adler |first2=Manny |last2=Randhawa |website=MLB.com |date=November 2, 2023 |accessdate=November 2, 2023}} and for the American League Rookie of the Year Award.{{cite news |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/2023-bbwaa-awards-finalists-mvp-cy-young |title=BBWAA Awards finalists unveiled on MLB Network |website=MLB.com |date=November 6, 2023 |accessdate=November 6, 2023}}

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.{{cite news |url=https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-red-sox/2024/04/21/triston-casas-rib-injury-update-red-sox-injured-list/ |title=Triston Casas placed on 10-day injured list with rib injury, Alex Cora remains 'concerned' |first=Conor |last=Roche |website=Boston.com |date=April 21, 2024 |accessdate=April 21, 2024}} A fractured rib was subsequently diagnosed, with no clear timetable for his return to the team.{{cite news |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/04/23/sports/red-sox-rafael-devers/ |title=Red Sox continue to encounter obstacles with injuries and the continued absence of Rafael Devers |first=Peter |last=Abraham |website=The Boston Globe |url-access=limited |date=April 23, 2024 |accessdate=April 23, 2024}} On April 27, he was transferred to the 60-day injured list.{{cite news |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/04/27/sports/red-sox-garrett-cooper/ |title=Red Sox acquire first baseman/left fielder Garrett Cooper from Cubs |first=Alex |last=Speier |website=The Boston Globe |url-access=limited |date=April 27, 2024 |accessdate=April 28, 2024}} Casas was activated on August 16.{{Cite web|title=Red Sox Designate Dominic Smith For Assignment|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/08/red-sox-to-designate-dominic-smith-for-assignment.html|access-date=August 16, 2024|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}}

International career

Casas played on the 18-under United States national baseball team, and was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2017 U-18 Baseball World Cup.{{cite web |url=http://www.wbsc.org/u-18-baseball-world-cup-quotes-by-wbsc-president-managers-and-mvp-casas/ |title=U-18 Baseball World Cup: quotes by WBSC President, managers and MVP Casas |website=WBSC |date=November 9, 2017 |accessdate=June 12, 2018}}

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.{{cite news |url=https://www.usabaseball.com/news/topic/professional/team-usa-announces-olympic-qualifying-roster |title=Team USA Announces Olympic Qualifying Roster |website=usabaseball.com |date=May 30, 2021 |accessdate=June 1, 2021}} After the team qualified, he was named to the Olympics roster on July 2.{{cite news |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/us-baseball-roster-announced-for-2021-olympics |title=USA Baseball announces Olympics roster |website=MLB.com |date=July 2, 2021 |accessdate=July 2, 2021}} During the tournament, Casas hit home runs against South Korea, Japan, and the Dominican Republic.{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/olympics/story/_/id/31926984/triston-casas-homers-lead-us-baseball-south-korea|title=Casas homers to lead U.S. Over South Korea|date=July 31, 2021}} The team went on to win silver, losing to hosts Japan in the gold medal game.{{cite web |url=https://olympics.com/tokyo-2020/olympic-games/en/results/baseball-softball/results-baseball-fnl-000100-.htm |title=Baseball/Softball - United States vs Japan - Gold Medal Game Results |website=olympics.com |date=August 7, 2021 |accessdate=August 8, 2021 |archive-date=August 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210816171932/https://olympics.com/tokyo-2020/olympic-games/en/results/baseball-softball/results-baseball-fnl-000100-.htm |url-status=dead }}

Personal life

Casas' brother, Gavin, is currently a college baseball first baseman for the University of South Carolina Gamecocks.{{Cite web |date=December 8, 2022 |title=Gavin Casas |url=https://gamecocksonline.com/roster/gavin-casas/ |access-date=April 8, 2023 |website=University of South Carolina Athletics |language=en-US}} He played his freshman and sophomore years for the Vanderbilt Commodores.{{Cite web |date=January 20, 2021 |title=Gavin Casas |url=https://vucommodores.com/roster/gavin-casas/ |access-date=April 8, 2023 |website=Vanderbilt University Athletics - Official Athletics Website |language=en-US}}

References

External links

{{Baseballstats|mlb=671213|espn=41180|br=c/casastr01|fangraphs=sa3007634|brm=casas-000tri|retro=C/Pcasat001}}, or [http://soxprospects.com/players/casas-triston.htm SoxProspects.com]
[https://www.soxprospects.com/players/casas-triston.htm Scouting report] from SoxProspects
[https://www.usabaseball.com/player/triston-casas Triston Casas] at USA Baseball
{{Team USA|new_id=triston-casas-1219654|old_id=Triston-Casas|sport=usa-baseball|archive=20230610153634}}
{{Olympedia}}
{{Olympics.com|triston-casas}}
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DI71z2JnwIk Casas (#44) batting in his first GCL Red Sox game]