Boston Red Sox Prospects: How 2020 impacted Triston Casas

How did 2020 impact Boston Red Sox prospect Triston Casas?

Remember that fun time when Spring Training 2020 was going on and we were all looking forward to the regular season for the Boston Red Sox? There were going to be superstars, budding youngster and maybe even some veterans getting one last stand *cough* Dustin Pedroia *cough*.

One thing I was most excited about was the minor leagues. That probably does not come as much of a surprise to many. But I actually think I would have had a lot of fans agreeing with me.

Let’s be honest, 2020 was not going to be a great year for the Red Sox. One of the most exciting aspects to watch would be their prospects. How much fun was it going to be to watch Bryan Mata, Tanner Houck, and Jay Groome pitching? What about Triston Casas, Jeter Downs, Gilberto Jimenez, Jarren Duran, and Bobby Dalbec in the field?

The shortened season and total loss of the MiLB season stole that from us though. So how exactly did it impact certain prospects? Right now, we’re going to take a look at Casas.

Casas was part of the alternative site. That means that he actually got some incredibly valuable experience. Sure, it was not a normal season – but it still gave him a chance to grow. Not only grow, but do so against MLB-talent.

Casas impressed mightily. He seemed to be putting together great at-bats and had a lot of absolutely murdered baseballs come off his bat.

What did this do for his future though?

Well in 2019, Casas slashed .256/.350/.480 in 120 games between Full-A and Advanced-A. He had 26 doubles, five triples and 20 home runs. Meanwhile, the left-handed hitter drove in 81 runs and scored another 66.

Perhaps just as importantly, he improved at first base all year long. Could he be taking up that mantle in the Majors soon?

Well, 2019 saw Casas pick up just seven plate appearances in Advanced-A. So it is safe to assume that is where he was going to be starting the 2020 season.

You could argue that he might have pushed his way all the way up to the Majors by the end of the year (seriously, he’s that good of a prospect). However, the Red Sox would likely want to be patient with the 20-year-old.

It would have taken at least a full month of games before the Red Sox moved Casas up to Double-A. And if we’re being honest, it would have been longer than that. Then he would have needed a nice sample size in Double-A. By the time Boston felt he was actually ready, it would have been at the very least the All-Star break.

Like I said earlier, the Red Sox were not destined for a good season – even if it was 162 games. So they probably would not have wanted to call up Casas for the two months and lose a year of service time.

The prospect will not start 2021 in the Majors. He would not have done that even with a normal 2020 season though.

However, he might be in a slightly different spot than he would have been had the season gone on normally. Ready for this though, I think he’s actually in a better spot. That scenario where he could have been called up but Boston didn’t want to use a service year? That’s an absolute best-case scenario.

This is a 20-year-old elite prospect. The Red Sox want to take their time and make sure they don’t rush him. He likely would be starting 2021 in Double-A with the plan of giving him at least one full season there.

Obviously things could change and if he performed, Casas would be called up. But the original plan would probably be to give him time to develop.

Now the Red Sox have seen he is ready for the Majors though. They have seen him against MLB talent and he produced.

Casas will probably start 2021 in Double-A as well. Maybe they will even start him in Advanced-A. Their view of him has altered though. Casas could now be seen as the elite prospect who could produce now if needed. They likely are not nearly as worried about throwing him into the proverbial fire any longer.

It will be choke-up season in the minors for a little longer. But soon, it will be coming to Major League ballparks everywhere – and the Red Sox should be jacked up about that.