Red Sox outlook 2023: What if Triston Casas finds his sizzle at the plate
Is Boston Red Sox prospect Triston Casas the real deal?
In making his much-anticipated debut in 2022, Boston Red Sox prospect Triston Casas gave fans a glimpse of what he can do, but also showed that he still has some growing to do, especially when it comes to major league pitching.
In 27 games, the young slugger batted just .197 with 5 homers and 12 RBI. Although he drew a lot of walks, he also struck out 23 times in 76 at bats. It was just a small sample size, but the Red Sox and fans got to see what Casas looks like in a Red Sox uniform and size wise it was fascinating.
Standing at 6-foot-4 and 252 pounds, the 23-year-old first baseman has the size and physical tools to be a force at the plat in the major leagues. That is what the Red Sox are counting on in 2023. But realistically, there is a chance Casas needs more work down in the minors. Even if that ends up being the case, he shouldn’t be down there for long especially with his main competition at first base being Bobby Dalbec.
Boston Red Sox have a lot of hope for Triston Casas in 2023
Aside from that, the organization is putting a lot of confidence in Casas. Not only did they DFA Eric Hosmer, but they also didn’t make any moves at the position which means they are planning to ride with Casas and see what he can do in a full season at the majors.
It is that team confidence in him that is driving the young prospect.
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"“That vote of confidence is huge,” Casas said in January during Red Sox Winter Weekend. “They’ve been instilling it in me. From the day that I got drafted they had the intention for me to be an everyday first baseman forever now. It was never to be a platoon player. It was never to be a role player. It was to be in the middle of the lineup and contribute every single day.“And that’s the mindset I’ve taken since I stepped on the field with them. Going into this year, I’m going to take that mentality until they take it away from me.”"
While the former first round pick has the right mindset, he also isn’t taking his job for granted. Casas knows if he doesn’t show strong in Spring Training, he could be on the outside looking in to start the 2023 MLB season. That is also the worst-case scenario for a Boston Red Sox team that needs a few players to step up offensively around Rafael Devers.
The best-case scenario is that Casas finds his groove at the plate and provides another source of power behind Devers. Given his overall tools, it is a safe to bet the young Red Sox slugger will be in the running for MLB Rookie of the Year in 2023 as he figures it out at the plate.
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Fangraphs is projecting a .248 batting average and 18 homers from Casas in 2023. With his plate discipline and raw power, that is a fair projection, but if Casas gets comfortable and gets off to a good start, then watch out MLB. The Red Sox will have their first baseman for years to come and 2023 will be that much more interesting for a fanbase starving for a competitive season.
Prediction/Outlook: Triston Casas will hit .273 with 27 homers and 83 RBI.