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Red Sox Rankings: American League East Catchers

By Drew Peabody

Aug 22, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox catcher Blake Swihart (23) chases a ball against the Kansas City Royals during the third inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 22, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox catcher Blake Swihart (23) chases a ball against the Kansas City Royals during the third inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 18, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Tampa Bay Rays catcher Curt Casali (19) throws out a runner at first base during the first inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 18, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Tampa Bay Rays catcher Curt Casali (19) throws out a runner at first base during the first inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

5.  Curt Casali

The good thing about this description of Casali is that it is extremely likely that you will learn things that you didn’t know before.  The bad thing is that Tampa goes through catchers pretty fast, so he could be gone before too long.  He is young and won’t earn much for a few years, so he will stick around as long as he produces.  Though Casali won the starting nod in Spring Training, the Rays traded for another catcher, so you never know.

Casali was selected in the 10th round by the Detroit Tigers in the 2011 draft.  The Tigers left him unprotected in 2013, trading him to the Rays in a Rule 5 swap.  He started to hit in the Rays system, at least for short periods.  At AA in 2013, Casali hit .383/.483/.600 in 119 plate appearances.  He continued to rake at AA, posting a .929 OPS in 96 plate appearances in 2014, eventually making it to the majors.

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Casali struggled mightily in 84 major league plate appearances in 2014, posting a .477 OPS.  The Rays thought enough of him to give him another try in 2015 and were rewarded with increased production.  The former Vanderbilt Commodore (David Price and Sonny Gray are notable alumni), hit 10 homers in just 113 plate appearances, posting a .238/.304/.594 batting line.  He had more homers (10) than singles (eight).

With the level of talent at the catcher position in this divison, it will be difficult for Casali to be able to move up in these rankings. Tampa is certainly hoping as the top three in this ranking age, Casali will show the consistency and durability to be one of the top receivers not only in the division, but in all of baseball.

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