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.
Julian McWilliams of The Boston Globe confirms the news, adding that first baseman Bobby Dalbec will be sent down to Triple-A Worcester.
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.
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.