Spring training records don’t matter nor do the numbers certain players post. In some instances they can determine whether a player wins or loses a roster spot. One look at how certain members of the Boston Red Sox did back in March, we can see how fluky those numbers can be.
These four Red Sox had completely different preseason performances than they did when the games started to count. Good and bad, these Red Sox have reminded everyone how meaningless the stat logs are when the games don’t matter.
1) Red Sox first baseman Triston Casas proved his hot spring was a fluke
Triston Casas went 19 for 57 in the spring, clobbered 4 home runs, and drove in 10. He finished the preseason with a .333/.381/.632 slash line. It looked like the Red Sox had their first baseman of the future and present.
Unfortunately, it hasn’t been the same in the regular season. Casas has had a rough go at it. While it’s still early in the year and his career, the slow start should have some wondering if he really is the long-term solution at first base.
Casas is now batting .215/.335/.395 in his first 64 games for Boston in 2023. One of the few positives are the 8 home runs he has hit. It’s third on the team only behind Rafael Devers and Justin Turner. Casas has at least managed to differentiate himself from Bobby Dalbec.
Red Sox fans who bought into Casas’ spring performance will continue to feel disappointed with how the regular season has gone. He looked masterful. He looked ready to become the guy. The verdict has yet to come in on him. There is still time to swing some jurors.