Graduating from the relative low stakes of minor-league baseball, with its sparse crowds and second-rate amenities, to the bright lights of MLB can be a major adjustment. Triston Casas experienced that culture shock firsthand in 2022, causing friction with his bizarre pregame ritual of shirtless sunbathing. Casas who debuted freshly-painted fingernails upon his arrival at spring training earlier this month, was subject to frequent “clashes” with Red Sox veterans, who read him the riot act, imploring the 23-year-old to tone down some of his more eccentric habits.
“I would just throw down a towel, one over my eyes, one for my head, cross my arms and have people step over me,” Casas said of his penchant for clubhouse napping. “Coaches saw me for years. Plenty of coaches, plenty of players, plenty of rehab guys. Nobody ever told me anything. So naturally, I assumed it was okay.”
Casas didn’t always take kindly to being rebuked, though for the most part, he appreciated teammates looking out for him, passing off his rookie growing pains as a learning experience, one necessary for his development as a player and person. “If I ever felt like they were trying to make an example out of me, there would be a little bit of a clash because at that point, I would be considering that disrespect,” said Casas, who received a $2.55-million signing bonus upon joining the Red Sox as a first-round pick in 2018. “But if I know they had good intentions by what they meant, or what they were trying to tell me, then I would definitely oblige and just say yes and keep moving forward because their respect means a lot to me.”
Ownership’s reluctance to trade Casas despite reported interest from the Marlins shows the Red Sox view him as an important part of their future, a potent, middle-of-the-lineup bat with potential to be a franchise building block in the mold of Rafael Devers. The Red Sox’s faith in Casas was similarly evident in their decision to move on from veteran Eric Hosmer, designating him for assignment despite the Padres covering almost his entire salary. Casas will likely form a platoon with Bobby Dalbec at first base, getting the majority of reps against right-handers with Dalbec spelling him versus lefties.
“Off the field, I am who I am. My personality is always going to be authentically unapologetic,” Casas expressed to Chris Cotillo, who covers the Red Sox beat for MassLive. “I would have been more concerned if they weren’t saying anything to me. I felt like that would have meant they didn’t feel like I was going to be [in the majors long]. I think the fact they were telling me stuff, the fact they were getting on me for the little things meant that they wanted me to go about things the right way. They wanted me to make sure that I’m going to carry on that tradition throughout the years when I stay up here.”
While cranky veterans policing the clubhouse has become somewhat of a tired trope, you could see why a newcomer like Casas might rub teammates the wrong way, rocking the boat with his unorthodox tactics at the conclusion of a disappointing season that saw the Red Sox finish last in the AL East for the second time in three years. Casas also didn’t play particularly well, struggling to a .197 batting average, albeit with five homers and a respectable .358 on-base percentage over 95 plate appearances. For Casas, the key to a successful 2023 will be striking the right balance, finding a middle ground between staying true to himself and respecting the wants and needs of his older, more established teammates.
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign Up and Follow Audacy Sports
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram