Curt Casali

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #29 prospect in 2014
  The Rays acquired Casali at the end of spring training 2013 when the Tigers traded him to Tampa Bay to keep major league Rule 5 drdaft pickup Kyle Lobstein. Casali stood out immediately in an organization that has lacked quality catching depth. He made solid strides with his defensive work and drove the ball consistently while making the jump from high Class A Charlotte to Double-A Montgomery. Casali had Tommy John surgery at Vanderbilt and lost much of his plus arm strength. He has regained some of the snap on his throws, however, and his release quickened and his footwork improved considerably after working with Rays minor league coaches. Casali threw out just 25 percent of basestealers last year, and he needs to improve his technique and success rate to be an everyday catcher in the big leagues. He has above-average receiving skills with soft hands, and he does a good job of working with pitchers. Prior to 2013, his polished approach at the plate, including a discerning eye, had led to decent gap power, but he started to drive the ball more consistently in 2013, popping 10 homers and slugging .488. He has an ideal frame for a catcher, and the overall skill set to be at least a backup catcher in the big league.
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  Ranked Detroit Tigers #23 prospect in 2013
  The Tigers were able to deal Rob Brantly to the Marlins in July as part of a package for Anibal Sanchez and Omar Infante because they had catching depth. Like Alex Avila, Brantly, James McCann and Bryan Holaday, Casali was a catcher drafted in the top 10 rounds out of a major college program. He signed for $40,000 as a Vanderbilt senior taken in the 10th round in 2011. While with the Commodores, he proved he could handle quality arms, as nine pitchers he worked with eventually were drafted in the first five rounds. Casali has solid defensive tools across the board, and they play up because of his natural leadership and work ethic. He threw out 33 percent of basestealers in 2012 and committed just four passed balls in 87 games. At the plate, he puts together quality at-bats, works the count and uses a short, simple swing. With his bat control, he'll hit for a decent average, and he has enough pop to make things interesting. Like most catchers, he has well below-average speed. Casali profiles as a solid backup catcher at the major league level.