BOSTON - Red Sox first-round draft pick Triston Casas is expected to sign for his full slot value, $2,552,800, pending a physical, a source with knowledge of the agreement said. He's heading to Boston this week to take his physical.
The first and third baseman from American Heritage High School in Florida was the 26th overall draft pick last week and is known for his tremendous power. He committed to the University of Miami prior to the draft.
Casas visited Boston recently for a pre-draft workout.
"It was a great experience going to Boston," Casas said. "It was my first time in Boston and in Massachusetts, so I really enjoyed my time there, I really loved the city and I love the build of it and I love the way that Fenway fit right in the middle of it, just like another building. I'm really excited and I can't be more happy with the way [the draft] turned out. I feel like the park suits my swing well, and hopefully, I get up to the big-league club soon and make an impact.”
The Sox have followed Casas for years.
"He was a three-time member of the Team USA junior national team, which we scout extensively during the summer," said Mike Rikard, who oversees the Sox' draft. "So we've seen a lot of him through the last few years. He also plays at a real prolific high school in the Fort Lauderdale area, American Heritage, that's one of the better programs in the country. We've seen a lot of him for a while now.
"One of his biggest strengths is his power. Typically in those workout settings, it's more about a last opportunity to spend time with these kids and get to know them on a little bit more of an intimate level. We typically do some batting practice, and he shows very well in that area, because his power is really good."
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