With the 2018 Draft fast approaching (June 4-6 on MLB Network and MLB.com), we take a closer look at the top prospects in this year's class.
:: 2018 Draft coverage ::
Name: Triston Casas
Position: 1B
School: American Heritage (Fla.) School
Rank on Draft Top 200: 20
DOB: 1/15/2000
Bats: L
Throws: R
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 238 lbs.
Commitment: Miami
Tools
(Future grades on 20-80 scouting scale)
Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run: 40 | Arm: 50 | Field: 50 | Overall: 50
Top 20 Draft Prospects profiles
Stats (2016-18)
52 G, 149 AB, .416/.555/.791, 11 HR, 52 RBIs, 7 SBs
Scouting report
Casas is one of the streakier hitters in this year's Draft class, and he was on fire while playing for the 18-and-under U.S. National Team in international competition. The corner infielder was the Most Valuable Player of the World Baseball Confederation U-18 Baseball World Cup, helping Team USA win a gold medal by leading the tournament in home runs and RBIs. He was named the WBSC International Baseball Player of the Year for his efforts.
Casas is all about his bat and the power he can produce with it. In terms of raw pop, he's up there with just about anyone in the class, registering high exit velocities at times. The only question is whether Casas will make enough contact to tap into that power consistently, as there are some holes in his swing. He loves to hit and does have a solid approach at the plate, something he'll have to continue to refine at the next level.
While Casas is more agile than one might think -- he plays third base at American Heritage, possesses a fastball on the mound that can reach 92 mph, and has worked hard to tone his body -- he likely profiles as solely a first baseman in the future. How much a team believes Casas will hit determine his Draft status and if he is taken early enough to walk away from a commitment to the University of Miami.
MLB comp: Sean Casey
Fun fact: Casas reclassified from the class of 2019 to join the 2018 group. He attends the same high school that once produced Padres' star Eric Hosmer, another large, power-hitting first baseman.
He said it: "It was pretty amazing [to get invited to the 2018 Draft]. I've been watching the Draft now for a couple of years, and I've seen the guys that were invited there and how special it is to see the looks on their faces. I'm looking forward to hopefully getting my name called pretty early that day and sharing that moment with my family. It's going to be pretty cool." -- Casas via the Sun Sentinel
They said it: "Having Triston play third base and charge the ball is a big plus for us. The people who think Triston is just a first baseman haven't had a chance to see him. Triston is a lot more athletic than a lot of people realize. He played up for so long that the most natural thing was to put him at first base, but there's not a doubt in my mind that he could play third or right field as well." -- American Heritage baseball coach Bruce Aven told USA Today High School Sports