Triston Casas is a studious hitter. He’s additionally an impactful one, as evidenced by his 19 residence runs and 124 wRC+ — this after an abysmal April and a lower than stellar May — in his first full big-league season. At age 23, the 6-foot-4, 250-pound first baseman profiles as a cornerstone within the Red Sox lineup. As our lead prospect analyst Eric Longenhagen wrote again in June, the left-handed-hitting slugger “should become a middle-of-the-order force capable of hitting 35-plus annual homers.”
Casas, whom Boston drafted with the No. 28 decide in 2018 out of Plantation, Florida’s American Heritage High School, mentioned his scientific method to hitting previous to a latest sport at Fenway Park.
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David Laurila: Let’s begin with one among my favourite ice-breaker questions: Do you view hitting as extra of an artwork, or as extra of a science?
Triston Casas: “It’s more of a science. There are numbers involved that can help you, and if you know how to use them accurately, they can pretty much give you a formula for how to have the most success at the plate. Every pitch has a certain characteristic based off the vertical and horizontal movement and the vertical entry angle. Your swing has a certain attack angle into the zone that has to match that pitch characteristic. If it does perfectly, you’re going to have a really good result. More importantly, if you match it, you don’t have to be perfect in terms of the timing, because you’re matching that plane.”
Laurila: A whole lot of hitters I’ve talked to, together with Justin Turner only in the near past, have confused the significance of timing.
Casas: “I think hitting is more about being on plane. To me, on plane means matching the plane of the pitch coming into the zone. Being on plane gives you a lot of margin for error. If your swing is too direct or too steep, your timing is going to have to be perfect to match the vertical entry angle of the ball into the zone, as opposed to matching it and being able to hit the ball within that 90-degree angle that allows you to hit it fair.”
Laurila: Different pitchers have totally 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 1000’s of various swings. Everybody has seen the chart of The Science of Hitting that Ted Williams put collectively, and inside that strike zone are about 60 to 65 totally different balls with, let’s say, a 30-mph vary of velocity between 70 and 100 transferring in each single route. So you’re taking a look at 1000’s of various potentialities of an entry angle into the zone at totally different velocities.
“Every swing is different, which is why it sometimes frustrates me when I see hitters go to video and try to compare one swing to another, or try to break down their in-game swing and find something that they can work on in-game. That’s because every single pitch is different. Even in batting practice, every single pitch is different. Having a variety of swings to match those planes is what makes great hitters great, and leaves good hitters to just be average.”
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 feel all these totally different mixtures of swings may also help me after I go as much as the plate, as a result of finally you’ve acquired to sort of decide a gap the place you need to attempt to hit the ball. That’s primarily based off of, like I mentioned, the pitcher’s traits, in addition to the situations of that day, like the place the opposite crew is shifting you.
“You’ve got to make your best assessment as to what your best chances are of getting a hit. I mean, it’s about hitting the ball hard. It’s about having a good process and wanting to stay in the middle, but ultimately it’s about results. It’s about finding holes, about finding grass and getting hits.”
Laurila: You talked about video. What are you specializing in once you have a look at video — not of the pitcher you’ll be going through, however fairly your self?
Casas: “Just that first motion, ensuring issues are working in the way in which that I need them to. After that preliminary transfer of me ‘getting on my highway,’ 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 residence runs. That’s not my sport. The most athletic a part of my sport is my swing. That’s my time to show my athleticism, my bat pace, my power, Those are my calling playing cards for this sport. That’s the place I break parameters.
“So I’m making sure that it’s not a mechanical warfare to where I’m fighting myself. I mean, I want it to be effortless. I want it to be fluid. I want it to be smooth yet quick, powerful, and precise. I want to make sure that starts with my first movement, and after that, it’s wanting to be relaxed throughout while also maintaining my barrel in the zone for a really long time and staying on plane.”
Laurila: Some hitters principally hunt heaters center and regulate from there, whereas others are extra nuanced. What is the your core method?
Casas: “It begins with an excellent entry into the zone and letting my swing work from there. I feel it’s an anticipative feeling of eager to hit a ball. It can’t be a choice made midway. It needs to be one which’s anticipative of a spot, so that you nearly have to begin your swing earlier than the ball is launched, then you definitely make your resolution because the ball is coming into the zone. Hopefully you’ll be able to verify your swing if it’s not within the zone you’re on the lookout for.
“I like to relate it to a highway. I’m getting on the highway the same way, and then I’m taking the exits depending on where the ball is thrown. For the most part, the beginning of my swing is the same. But the finish, the contact point, and the degree of my hip hinge, or my chest over my hips, is different on every single swing, just depending on the height. My contact points are different depending on the pitch velocity. But I do want the initial start to my swing to be the same. I’m making a conscious effort to stay balanced. That comes from having a good base and using the ground correctly.”
Laurila: Have you at all times approached hitting this fashion?
Casas: “I go through a lot of phases as a hitter, as does every single good one. If I go over and talk to Justin Turner about hitting, he’ll be able to relate, in a sense, but he’s fighting his own battles right now. You never master hitting. That’s the beautiful thing about it. You go in phases with your swing as to what challenge to overcome in that moment or for that day just to survive that game. He might be able to relate to me, because that’s something he’s gone through and worked through, but at the same time, we can’t relate. We’re not on the same wavelength, because he’s had thousands more at-bats than I’ve had. Eventually, hopefully, I will get to that level. For now, I’m just working on the phase of figuring out my swing, knowing that it’s going to continue to change and morph.”
Laurila: When I ask hitters what the first challenge is after they’re scuffling, they routinely pointed to timing. What is often the difficulty for you?
Casas: “It’s pitch choice. The major parts to hitting, the three I feel are most vital 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 vital factor. Recognition of the ball out of the hand units up every part else.
“The pitcher isn’t a robot out there. He has to do something different to manipulate the ball, to make it move a certain direction or at a slower velocity. He’s going to tip whatever pitch it is with his body and with his wrist and his hand right as he lands and throws the pitch. So again, recognizing out of the hand is the most important thing. Hand-eye coordination, that contact point of making sure you’re hitting it on the right part of the barrel, is the second-most important thing. Then timing is the third-most important thing, just because you have to be within a range to be able to hit the ball, or else you’re going to swing and miss.”
Laurila: Are you pondering once you’re within the field, or are you extra attempting to close off your thoughts?
Casas: “I attempt to shut it off and deal with respiratory, I really feel like respiratory is perhaps essentially the most ignored a part of life. We all do it unconsciously, however in the event you do it accurately, it might affect your thoughts and your muscle mass. With the way in which that your diaphragm works, you’ll be able to really ship power to totally different elements of your physique by way of your breath. Along with these nice issues, it quiets my thoughts.
“So I focus on my breathing and I hear my breathing. I don’t focus on a physical cue or getting into a position. Like I said, I just want my athleticism to take over. And it all happens so quick. I heard a quote from Yogi Berra one time. He said that you can’t think and hit at the same time. I take that to heart and try to quiet my mind as much as I can.”
Laurila: You do your pondering earlier than you step within the field.
Casas: “Yes. I develop my method to an at-bat after I’m on deck. What is one of the simplest ways to go about this at-bat to place my crew in the most effective place to succeed? Maybe I need to grind it out and I’ll be taking the primary pitch. Maybe I’ll be attempting to take my whack on the primary pitch, attempting to drive the ball into a niche, hit a double, hit a house run. Sometimes the sport requires a stroll. I additionally have a look at the place I’m at within the lineup; who am I defending, or who’s defending me? Loads goes into it.
“When I step into the box, I know what I want to do. I know what I’m looking for. I know what part of my swing I want to get to. I focus on what I intend to do based on my feel for the game and the situation. From there, it’s all about reaction.”
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Author’s observe: My colleague Esteban Rivera wrote about changes Casas has made this season earlier within the month. If you missed it, the piece is nicely value your time.
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Earlier “Talks Hitting” interviews can discovered by way of 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
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