Triston Casas is a studious hitter. He’s additionally an impactful one, as evidenced by his 19 house runs and 124 wRC+ — this after an abysmal April and a lower than stellar Could — in his first full big-league season. At age 23, the 6-foot-4, 250-pound first baseman profiles as a cornerstone within the Crimson Sox lineup. As our lead prospect analyst Eric Longenhagen wrote again in June, the left-handed-hitting slugger “ought to turn into a middle-of-the-order power able to hitting 35-plus annual homers.”
Casas, whom Boston drafted with the No. 28 choose in 2018 out of Plantation, Florida’s American Heritage Excessive Faculty, mentioned his scientific strategy to hitting previous to a current sport at Fenway Park.
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David Laurila: Let’s begin with one in all my favourite ice-breaker questions: Do you view hitting as extra of an artwork, or as extra of a science?
Triston Casas: “It’s extra of a science. There are numbers concerned that may provide help to, and if you understand how to make use of them precisely, they’ll just about provide you with a method for how you can have probably the most success on the plate. Each pitch has a sure attribute primarily based off the vertical and horizontal motion and the vertical entry angle. Your swing has a sure assault angle into the zone that has to match that pitch attribute. If it does completely, you’re going to have a very good consequence. Extra importantly, for those who match it, you don’t need to be good when it comes to the timing, since you’re matching that aircraft.”
Laurila: Quite a lot of hitters I’ve talked to, together with Justin Turner only recently, have pressured the significance of timing.
Casas: “I believe hitting is extra about being on aircraft. To me, on aircraft means matching the aircraft of the pitch coming into the zone. Being on aircraft provides you a number of margin for error. In case your swing is just too direct or too steep, your timing goes to need to be good to match the vertical entry angle of the ball into the zone, versus matching it and having the ability to hit the ball inside that 90-degree angle that means that you can hit it truthful.”
Laurila: Totally different pitchers have completely different assault angles and motion profiles. With that in thoughts, are you at all times taking the identical swing — your A-swing, so to talk — or do you even have a number of swings?
Casas: “That’s a giant query. There are millions of completely different swings. All people has seen the chart of The Science of Hitting that Ted Williams put collectively, and inside that strike zone are about 60 to 65 completely different balls with, let’s say, a 30-mph vary of velocity between 70 and 100 transferring in each single course. So that you’re taking a look at 1000’s of various potentialities of an entry angle into the zone at completely different velocities.
“Each swing is completely different, which is why it generally frustrates me once I see hitters go to video and attempt to examine one swing to a different, or attempt to break down their in-game swing and discover one thing that they’ll work on in-game. That’s as a result of each single pitch is completely different. Even in batting observe, each single pitch is completely different. Having a wide range of swings to match these planes is what makes nice hitters nice, and leaves good hitters to simply be common.”
Laurila: You clearly have plus energy. To the extent that you’ve got one, is your A-swing constructed for loft?
Casas: “I work on a bunch of various swings. I work on a lofty swing. I work on a extra direct swing. I work in an inside-out swing, I work on a backspin to proper subject swing and a groundballs to the left facet swing. I believe all these completely different combos of swings can assist me once I go as much as the plate, as a result of in the end you’ve acquired to sort of choose a gap the place you wish to attempt to hit the ball. That’s primarily based off of, like I stated, the pitcher’s traits, in addition to the situations of that day, like the place the opposite staff is shifting you.
“You’ve acquired to make your finest evaluation as to what your finest likelihood is of getting a success. I imply, it’s about hitting the ball arduous. It’s about having a very good course of and wanting to remain within the center, however in the end it’s about outcomes. It’s about discovering holes, about discovering grass and getting hits.”
Laurila: You talked about video. What are you specializing in if you take a look at video — not of the pitcher you’ll be dealing with, however fairly your self?
Casas: “Simply that first motion, ensuring issues are working in the way in which that I would like them to. After that preliminary transfer of me ‘getting on my freeway,’ it’s all about adjustability and athleticism. I’m not a really dynamic participant, per se. I’m by no means going to be on top-10 highlights, making diving performs within the gap and throwing guys out or robbing house runs. That’s not my sport. Probably the most athletic a part of my sport is my swing. That’s my time to show my athleticism, my bat velocity, my power, These are my calling playing cards for this sport. That’s the place I break parameters.
“So I’m ensuring that it’s not a mechanical warfare to the place I’m combating myself. I imply, I would like it to be easy. I would like it to be fluid. I would like it to be clean but fast, highly effective, and exact. I wish to be sure that begins with my first motion, and after that, it’s desirous to be relaxed all through whereas additionally sustaining my barrel within the zone for a very very long time and staying on aircraft.”
Laurila: Some hitters mainly hunt heaters center and alter from there, whereas others are extra nuanced. What’s the your core strategy?
Casas: “It begins with a very good entry into the zone and letting my swing work from there. I believe it’s an anticipative feeling of desirous to hit a ball. It may possibly’t be a choice made midway. It must be one which’s anticipative of a spot, so that you nearly have to start out your swing earlier than the ball is launched, then you definitely make your resolution because the ball is coming into the zone. Hopefully you possibly can examine your swing if it’s not within the zone you’re searching for.
“I prefer to relate it to a freeway. I’m getting on the freeway the identical method, after which I’m taking the exits relying on the place the ball is thrown. For probably the most half, the start of my swing is identical. However the end, the contact level, and the diploma of my hip hinge, or my chest over my hips, is completely different on each single swing, simply relying on the peak. My contact factors are completely different relying on the pitch velocity. However I do need the preliminary begin to my swing to be the identical. I’m making a acutely aware effort to remain balanced. That comes from having a very good base and utilizing the bottom appropriately.”
Laurila: Have you ever at all times approached hitting this manner?
Casas: “I am going via a number of phases as a hitter, as does each single good one. If I am going over and speak to Justin Turner about hitting, he’ll have the ability to relate, in a way, however he’s combating his personal battles proper now. You by no means grasp hitting. That’s the attractive factor about it. You go in phases along with your swing as to what problem to beat in that second or for that day simply to outlive that sport. He may have the ability to relate to me, as a result of that’s one thing he’s gone via and labored via, however on the identical time, we will’t relate. We’re not on the identical wavelength, as a result of he’s had 1000’s extra at-bats than I’ve had. Ultimately, hopefully, I’ll get to that stage. For now, I’m simply engaged on the part of determining my swing, realizing that it’s going to proceed to vary and morph.”
Laurila: After I ask hitters what the first challenge is once they’re scuffling, they routinely pointed to timing. What is usually the problem for you?
Casas: “It’s pitch choice. The principle elements to hitting, the three I believe are most essential are recognition of the ball out of the hand — that’s primary — after which hand-eye coordination is second, and timing is the third-most essential factor. Recognition of the ball out of the hand units up the whole lot else.
“The pitcher isn’t a robotic on the market. He has to do one thing completely different to govern the ball, to make it transfer a sure course or at a slower velocity. He’s going to tip no matter pitch it’s together with his physique and together with his wrist and his hand proper as he lands and throws the pitch. So once more, recognizing out of the hand is crucial factor. Hand-eye coordination, that contact level of constructing positive you’re hitting it on the fitting a part of the barrel, is the second-most essential factor. Then timing is the third-most essential factor, simply because you must be inside a spread to have the ability to hit the ball, or else you’re going to swing and miss.”
Laurila: Are you pondering if you’re within the field, or are you extra making an attempt to close off your thoughts?
Casas: “I attempt to shut it off and deal with respiratory, I really feel like respiratory is perhaps probably the most neglected a part of life. All of us do it unconsciously, however for those who do it appropriately, it might probably affect your thoughts and your muscle tissues. With the way in which that your diaphragm works, you possibly can truly ship vitality to completely different elements of your physique via your breath. Together with these nice issues, it quiets my thoughts.
“So I deal with my respiratory and I hear my respiratory. I don’t deal with a bodily cue or getting right into a place. Like I stated, I simply need my athleticism to take over. And all of it occurs so fast. I heard a quote from Yogi Berra one time. He stated that you would be able to’t suppose and hit on the identical time. I take that to coronary heart and attempt to quiet my thoughts as a lot as I can.”
Laurila: You do your pondering earlier than you step within the field.
Casas: “Sure. I develop my strategy to an at-bat once I’m on deck. What’s one of the simplest ways to go about this at-bat to place my staff in the very best place to succeed? Perhaps I wish to grind it out and I’ll be taking the primary pitch. Perhaps I’ll be making an attempt to take my whack on the primary pitch, making an attempt to drive the ball into a niche, hit a double, hit a house run. Generally the sport requires a stroll. I additionally take a look at the place I’m at within the lineup; who am I defending, or who’s defending me? Rather a lot goes into it.
“After I step into the field, I do know what I wish to do. I do know what I’m searching for. I do know what a part of my swing I wish to get to. I deal with what I intend to do primarily based on my really feel for the sport and the scenario. From there, it’s all about response.”
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Writer’s observe: My colleague Esteban Rivera wrote about changes Casas has made this season earlier within the month. If you happen to missed it, the piece is properly value your time.
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Earlier “Talks Hitting” interviews can discovered via these hyperlinks: Jo Adell, Jeff Albert, Greg Allen, Nolan Arenado, Aaron Bates, Jacob Berry, Alex Bregman, Bo Bichette, Cavan Biggio, Charlie Blackmon, JJ Bleday, Bobby Bradley, Will Brennan, Jay Bruce, Matt Chapman, Michael Chavis, Garrett Cooper, Gavin Cross, Jacob Cruz, Nelson Cruz, Paul DeJong, Josh Donaldson, Brendan Donovan, Donnie Ecker, Rick Eckstein, Drew Ferguson, Justin Foscue, Michael Fransoso, Ryan Fuller, Joey Gallo, Paul Goldschmidt, Devlin Granberg, Andy Haines, Mitch Haniger, Robert Hassell III, Nico Hoerner, Rhys Hoskins, Eric Hosmer, Tim Hyers, Connor Joe, Josh Jung, Jimmy Kerr, Heston Kjerstad, Steven Kwan, Trevor Larnach, Doug Latta, Evan Longoria, Michael Lorenzen, Gavin Lux, Dave Magadan, Trey Mancini, Edgar Martinez, Don Mattingly, Marcelo Mayer, Hunter Mense, Owen Miller, Ryan Mountcastle, Cedric Mullins, Daniel Murphy, Lars Nootbaar, Logan O’Hoppe, Vinnie Pasquantino, Luke Raley, Brent Rooker, Drew Saylor, Marcus Semien, Giancarlo Stanton, Spencer Steer, Trevor Story, Fernando Tatis Jr., Spencer Torkelson, Mark Trumbo, Justin Turner, Trea Turner, Josh VanMeter, Robert Van Scoyoc, Chris Valaika, Zac Veen, Alex Verdugo, Mark Vientos, Matt Vierling, Luke Voit, Anthony Volpe, Joey Votto, Christian Walker, Jared Walsh, Jordan Westburg, Jesse Winker, Mike Yastrzemski, Nick Yorke, Kevin Youkilis