It’s prospect season in MLB.
Each of the usual suspects – Baseball America, FanGraphs, MLB Pipeline, Baseball Prospectus, and many more – are ramping up prospect coverage now that the international signing period started and spring training is around the corner.
MLB Pipeline is even working on a position-by-position series, highlighting the top ten prospects at catcher, first base, second base, third base, and so on.
When it comes to first basemen, there is no better prospect in baseball than Boston Red Sox slugger Triston Casas.
Significant power coming soon to the first base bag. pic.twitter.com/SR4L882GZX
— MLB (@MLB) January 20, 2023
Casas showed in 2022 who he is as a hitter: that is, his strengths and weaknesses.
He slashed .197/.358/.408 and that is exactly who he is: a low-average hitter with excellent on-base skills and impressive power.
In 95 plate appearances, he knocked five balls over the fence.
Casas strikes out a lot, but he also draws a boatload of walks.
In other words, he is a good example of the “three true outcomes” philosophy: homers, walks, and strikeouts.
When he is a finished product, however, he has the potential of being one of the top first baseman in the American League.
You know he has power when five of his 11 hits as a major leaguer in 2022 left the yard.
There is a lot of talent after Casas, too.
Tyler Soderstrom has Oakland Athletics fans dreaming, and Kyle Manzardo is one of the Tampa Bay Rays’ firmest hopes.
Matt Mervis could be one of the most impactful rookies at the position in 2023 with the Chicago Cubs, as he has some impressive numbers in the high minors.
It will all boil down to playing time.
NEXT: A Past Red Sox Lineup Was Absolutely Stacked