Top Red Sox prospect ‘clashed’ with veterans during 2022 season

Making the jump from the minor leagues to the Majors isn’t easy, even for some of baseball’s top prospects. It’s not uncommon to see players take even a year or two before they really hit their stride.

What helps a lot of athletes, especially during times of transition, is routine. For Red Sox first baseman and top prospect Triston Casas though, that wasn’t entirely an option when he made his MLB debut in 2022. According to a new report by Chris Cotillo of MassLive, Casas’ pregame routine that he developed in the minors “ruffled feathers” of multiple ‘veteran players.”

• The routine, which Casas developed while in Single-A in 2019, involved Casas ‘sunbathing’ in the outfield before games, then returning to the clubhouse where he’d take a 30-minute nap that began about 90 minutes before first pitch. According to Cotillo, he continued that routine at each level as he progressed through the minor leagues.

  When he got to Boston though, that changed. According to Cotillo, “on numerous occasions, veterans loudly expressed their displeasure with Casas’ routine” and that “sometimes tensions boiled over.” He added that these issues resulted in “clashes” between the veterans and Casas about the right way to behave.

  Cotillo notes that “Casas had to make significant adjustments to his routine in an effort to fit in,” and that the changes to his routine will continue into the 2023 season. With significant roster turnover this winter, that should present a fresh start.

  Whatever his routine is, the Red Sox will be relying on it to work in 2023. In his first full year in the majors, Casas is expected to be the starting first baseman for the Red Sox, and play a key role in replacing the production lost by the departure of Xander Bogaerts.

• Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at abarth@985TheSportsHub.com.