March 8, 2021 at 8:00 AM
Scouting Report Updates: Triston Casas, Jeisson Rosario and Hudson Potts
The latest SoxProspects scouting report update features three prospects who participated in the 2020 Fall Instructional League and who have now been invited to Major League Spring Training. Triston Casas and Hudson Potts have yet to make their Spring debuts, but Jeisson Rosario had made several appearances before he injured himself while chasing a fly ball against the Minnesota Twins.
Physical Description: Strong, imposing frame. Thick, fully developed lower half. Some remaining projection in his upper body, but strong already. Will have to work to maintain body and athleticism. Very long limbs. Has done a good job with conditioning early in his career, showing up to 2020 Alternate Training Site with a more toned physique.
Hit: Starts slightly open in a slight crouch. Quiet pre-pitch. Utilizes a leg lift timing device and gets his foot down in time. Easy load, hips really fire through. Plus bat speed; whips the bat through the zone. Smooth, fluid swing, especially given his size. Strong feel for hit for a high school draftee. Utilizes all fields. Will always have some swing-and-miss and holes in his swing. Has shown willingness to try adjustments to swing and to abandon them if they are not working. Has clear two-strike approach in which he widens his stance and chokes up on the bat. Potential to develop strong plate discipline skills in the future. Needs to continue to refine approach and pitch recognition, but has the potential to develop an above-average hit tool.
Power: Plus-plus raw power. Easy all-fields power, but power plays best to the pull side. Has the ideal combination of size, strength, and bat speed for a power hitter. Ball really jumps off his bat. Drives the ball with backspin. How power actualizes will depend on development of hit tool, but can project for at least plus in-game power at his peak and potentially more.
Run: Well below-average speed. Not a part of his game. Will likely continue to get slower as he matures. Smart baserunner, reads the game well.
Field: Confident picking out throws in the dirt. Moves well enough for first base. Potential above-average defender there. Drafted as a third baseman but footwork was choppy, lacked range, and looked awkward fielding the ball there given his size.
Arm: Plus arm. Touched the low 90s on the mound in high school. Would have been plenty of arm for third base had he stuck there.
Career Notes: Originally an old prospect for his draft class, reclassified in 2017 and graduated high school early so that he could enter the draft a year earlier. Reportedly put up some of the highest exit velocities in the 2018 high school class. Excelled in showcase events and led Team USA in home runs and RBI on the way to winning the MVP of the U-18 Baseball World Cup. Attended the same high school as Red Sox draft picks CJ Chatham, Shaun Anderson, and Deven Marrero. Had committed to the University of Miami. Tore the UCL in his right thumb diving for a ground ball in his second game after signing and missed the rest of the 2018 regular season after surgery. For first month of 2019, tried to use a pronounced crouch in his pre-pitch setup and swing all the time, but struggled (.208/.284/.364, 35% K rate). Returned to a more natural swing, saving crouch for when he has two strikes, and improved drastically, posting great numbers for his age even despite a July slump (.267/.364/.506, 21% K rate). Was a late addition to the Alternate Training Site in 2020, where he impressed as one of the best hitters despite being one of the youngest and least experienced players there. Participated in the Fall Instructional League in 2018, 2019, and 2020, but did not play in games in 2020. Received a non-roster invitation to spring training in 2021.
Summation: Potential everyday regular. Ceiling of an all-star capable of hitting for both average and significant power. Looks the part of a prototypical bat-first first baseman capable of anchoring a lineup. Projects to add some value defensively at first base. Hit tool still needs development and will have to ensure the swing-and-miss in his game does not impact his ability to tap into his power. Strong instincts and feel for the game.
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Physical Description: Medium-sized frame. Above-average athleticism. Has some remaining projection in upper half. Needs to add strength.
Hit: Starts slightly open with his hands high. Utilizes a toe-tap timing device. Quick wrists, but bat can drag due to his lack of strength. Swing could use refinement, primarily in making it simpler. Does not make great quality of contact and struggles to pull the ball with any authority. Can get slap-happy at the plate, looking to push the ball the other way. Advanced feel for the strike zone for his age. Above-average plate discipline; has always shown a willingness to take a walk, but at times can get too passive and look like he is taking pitches for the sake of it. Potential average hit tool, but has the chance to develop into more than that if he can add strength and refine his swing.
Power: Will show fringe-average raw power in batting practice, but that has not translated in games yet. Does not look to drive the ball and swing lacks loft, so in-game power is limited to line drives to the gaps. Currently the one major hole in his game. Well-below-average power potential.
Run: Above-average speed. Speed translates on both offense and defense. Still needs to learn the art of stealing bases and improve his baserunning instincts.
Field: Strong instincts and reads. Very quick first step. Really can go get it with great closing speed. Will make highlight-reel plays, fun to watch. Potential plus defender in center field.
Arm: Above-average arm. Plenty for any outfield position.
Career Notes: Tremendous athlete, has been known to do Ozzie Smith-style backflips on the field to celebrate wins and can throw with both arms. Was considered one of the top players in 2016 international class and was part of Padres IFA class that cost $78 million in bonuses. Skipped the DSL and headed right to the Arizona League in 2017, holding his own offensively. Has been age-advanced relative to his level early in his career. Was hampered by a hamstring injury in 2019. Played at the Alternate Training Site after being acquired from the Padres in 2020. Participated in the 2020 Fall Instructional League.
Summation: Potential bench outfielder who brings defense and speed to the table, but ceiling is higher. If he adds strength and shows some power potential, along with his hit tool improving, could develop into a starting center fielder who posts strong on-base percentages. Wide gap between his floor and his ceiling. Speed and defense are known quantities, but has a lot of questions offensively, especially with his swing. Has always been very young for his age and has shown a remarkable knowledge of the strike zone. Exciting player who has the potential to add value in many ways if he reaches his potential.
Note: This page will be updated with a complete scouting report after the scouting team has seen the player in person.
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Physical Description: Large, sturdy frame. Looks the part, well proportioned. Minimal remaining projection.
Hit: Starts square with his hands by his shoulders. Relaxed, loose at the plate. Utilizes a leg lift timing device. Barrel stays in the zone. Has had trouble catching up with high fastballs. Will take a walk on occasion, but approach still needs refinement. Lot of swing-and-miss in his game, especially on pitches within the zone. Will be tested by more advanced pitching and has to show he can hit velocity. Potential below-average hit tool.
Power: Plus raw power. Power is primarily to the pull side, but will flash all-fields power on occasion. Hits the ball hard, but could stand to add more loft to his swing. Has the potential for solid-average in-game power, capable of hitting 25 home runs a year in his peak. How his power actualizes will depend on how his hit tool develops.
Run: Below-average runner. Not a major part of his game.
Field: Soft hands, passable in the field. Moves well enough and will make the routine plays at third base. Below-average range. Not flashy; will not make many stand-out plays, but can do the job. Has shown the ability to play second base adequately to add to his versatility. Potential fringe-average defensive profile.
Arm: Above-average arm, plenty for third base.
Career Notes: Went by Hudson Sanchez until 2016, when he took his stepfather's last name. Took an under-slot deal after being selected in the first round by San Diego in 2016. Was advanced aggressively through the minors by the Padres, reaching Double-A at age 19 in his second full season. Played at the Alternate Training Site after being acquired from San Diego. Was on the roster at the 2020 Fall Instructional League but did not participate in games.
Summation: Projects as a power-first bench bat. Has the ceiling of an everyday player who could slot into a five or six-hole due to his power, but has a ways to go to reach his potential. Biggest question mark is whether he can hit enough to tap into his power potential. Has to refine his hit tool and cut some of the swing-and-miss out of his game. Took a step back after being aggressively promoted to Double-A, but was extremely young for the league. With a refined approach could head back there and succeed in 2021, when he will still be young for the level. Needs to show he can handle either second base or third base to reach his potential, as his bat profiles better there than first base or left field.
Note: This page will be updated with a complete scouting report after the scouting team has seen the player in person.
Photo Credit: Triston Casas, Jeisson Rosario and Hudson Potts by Kelly O'Connor.
Ian Cundall is Director of Scouting for SoxProspects.com. Follow him on Twitter @IanCundall.