MLB Writer Believes This Red Sox Player Took ‘Big Step’ In 2023

Brayan Bello nearly earned the nod

It’s been a mixed year for the Red Sox, but there have been signs of growth from young players this season.

Brayan Bello continued his development as a potential ace of the starting rotation, and Connor Wong has cemented his role as Boston’s everyday catcher.

But Triston Casas took a huge leap forward in his second Major League Baseball season after gaining manager Alex Cora’s trust as the team’s starting first baseman. The 23-year-old hit 24 home runs and 64 RBIs through 130 games and is a contender to win American League Rookie of the Year.

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It’s why MLB.com writer Ian Browne chose Casas as a Red Sox player who “took a big step forward” this season.

“While starting pitcher Brayan Bello could also have easily earned this distinction, the in-season improvement of Casas has been something to behold for the Red Sox,” Browne wrote Thursday. “The AL Rookie of the Year Award candidate has had quite the resurgence after a slow start. In his first 174 at-bats after the All-Star break, Casas had a batting line of .322/.419/.632 with 15 homers and 37 RBIs. He looks poised to be a cornerstone of the Boston batting order for many years to come.”

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Casas has tough competition for AL Rookie of the Year with Gunnar Henderson and Josh Jung as the top two favorites on FanDuel. But it’s still been a solid year for the first baseman, who set himself up this season to be a key fixture for Boston for years to come.