Casali catching for Rays pitcher Enny Romero on March 4, 2014. (Bev Stol MacClements photo)
Former New Canaan High star and current Tampa Bay Rays catching prospect Curt Casali singled off Boston’s Chris Hernandez to lead off the top of the 9th inning, earning his first hit of the 2014 Spring Training and helping the big club defeat the Red Sox 8-0 at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers, Fla.
Casali, who entered the game relieving Jose Molina at catcher in the bottom of the 6th, also drew a walk in his first plate appearance in the 7th inning.
Curt Casali waits in the Tampa Bay bullpen as the Rays defeat the Red Sox 8--0 on March 4, 2014. (Photo by Bev Stohl MacClements)
In two Spring Training games Casali has gone 1-2 with 2 walks for the Rays, as he looks to continue to impress the parent club in his quest to make the MLB roster. The 25 year-old had a breakout season in 2013, emerging as a serious catching prospect for the Rays after hitting .316 with 10 HR and 53 RBI between Tampa’s Single-A+ and Double-A affiliates.
Casali, a 2007 graduate of NCHS, was one of 11 minor leaguers who were non-roster invitees to the Rays 2014 spring camp.