Triston Casas could very well be a big-leaguer by the end of the month, but on Sunday night, it was his past that Boston Red Sox fans couldn’t stop talking about.
As the Sox and Baltimore Orioles faced off in the fifth annual Little League Classic in Williamsport, the top prospect’s Little League photos became the talk of Twitter.
Conspiracy: ESPN asked the Red Sox to hold off on calling up Casas because they knew his Little League photos would dominate the broadcast pic.twitter.com/xLUMSJR8Xr
— Liam Fennessy ☕️ (@LiamFennessy_) August 22, 2022
The Triple-A WooSox showcased young Casas in a sweet TikTok earlier this month.
"@gowoosox They grow up so fast 😌 #WooSox #Baseball #MiLB #RedSox #Worcester #mlb #growupwithme #grownup #igotgunsinmyheandandtheywontgo❤️ #kids #young #greenscreen ♬ оригинальный звук – MOVIES/TV SERIES"
When will Triston Casas make his Red Sox debut?
As August wanes, and with it, the team’s hopes for a Wild Card, calling up Casas would rejuvenate the fan base. The Fenway Faithful have eagerly awaited Casas’ big-league debut since his promotion to Triple-A last fall. He’s hitting .268/.376/.481 over 66 games this season (including a four-game rehab stint in Florida).
A two-month stint on the Injured List with an ankle sprain derailed the debut that many thought would come earlier this year. The upside to the delay is that we’ve officially reached the point in the season at which the Sox can call up Casas without hurting his rookie eligibility for 2023. If a rookie is on the active roster for less than 45 days or makes no more than 130 at-bats (50 innings for a pitcher), his eligibility carries over to the following season. This Monday off-day is the 45-day cutoff. On Tuesday, the Sox begin the final 40 games remaining on their regular-season schedule, and it would be virtually impossible for Casas to reach 130 at-bats in that time. He’d have to play every game and have at least three at-bats. With Eric Hosmer and Bobby Dalbec also available, the 45-day limit seems to be the biggest thing holding Casas back, but no longer.
In addition to benefitting Casas, who will be able to compete for the coveted American League Rookie of the Year next year, the Sox would benefit if he finishes in the top three for the award voting. Under the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, teams whose rookies finish in the top three receive an extra draft pick.
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