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Curt Casali

Summary

Curtis Michael Casali (born November 9, 1988), is an American professional baseball catcher in the Chicago Cubs organization. He played college baseball at Vanderbilt University, and was selected in the 10th round of the 2011 MLB draft by the Detroit Tigers. He made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut in 2014 with the Tampa Bay Rays, and has also played for the San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, and Cincinnati Reds.

Curt Casali
Casali with the San Francisco Giants in 2021
Chicago Cubs
Catcher / First baseman
Born: (1988-11-09) November 9, 1988 (age 35)
Walnut Creek, California, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
July 18, 2014, for the Tampa Bay Rays
MLB statistics
(through 2023 season)
Batting average.220
Home runs47
Runs batted in154
Teams

Early life edit

Casali was born in Walnut Creek, California, but raised in New Canaan, Connecticut. He attended New Canaan High School. He starred in baseball (batting .427 for the team) as well as basketball, and in football as a quarterback, leading the team to a state championship.[1] Casali earned first-team All-State honors in football and baseball, and was named the second-best prospect from Connecticut/Rhode Island in the June 2007 baseball draft.[2]

College career edit

Casali played college baseball at Vanderbilt University.[3] During his four years at Vanderbilt, he had a .316 batting average, a .430 on-base percentage, a .502 slugging percentage, 27 home runs, and 167 runs batted in (RBIs). Casali made it to the College World Series semifinals in 2011 with Vanderbilt, but the team was eliminated by Florida. In 2008, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Hyannis Mets of the Cape Cod Baseball League, and he returned to the league in 2010 to play for the Cotuit Kettleers.[4][5][6][7]

Professional career edit

Detroit Tigers (2011–2012) edit

Minor leagues edit

 
Casali batting for the Lakeland Flying Tigers in 2012

The Detroit Tigers selected Casali in the 10th round of the 2011 Major League Baseball draft, 317th overall, and he signed on July 1, 2011, for a $40,000 signing bonus.[8][9] Baseball America' wrote that the Tommy John surgery that he had in 2009 while in college reduced his formerly plus arm strength, but that he was still a good defensive catcher with a good approach at the plate.[10][11] He made his professional debut that season for the short season Low–A Connecticut Tigers of the New York-Pennsylvania League, batting .278/.409/.417 with one home run and two RBI in 26 at bats.[12] He then played for the Single–A West Michigan Whitecaps of the Midwest League, batting .227/.344/.400 with 2 home runs and 14 RBI in 75 at bats.[12] Between the two teams, he had a low strikeout rate, at 10.3%.[11]

In 2012 he played for West Michigan and, starting in late June, the High–A Lakeland Flying Tigers.[13] Casali batted a combined .270/.365/.427 with 9 home runs and 43 RBI in 330 at bats.[12] He helped the Flying Tigers to their first Florida State League title in 20 years.[13] He was a 2012 MiLB Organization All Star.[14] Baseball America ranked him as the organization's 23rd-best prospect.[11]

Tampa Bay Rays (2013–2018) edit

On March 25, 2013, the Tigers traded Casali to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for pitcher Kyle Lobstein.[15][16] The Rays assigned him to the High–A Charlotte Stone Crabs, and then promoted him to the Double–A Montgomery Biscuits.[17][18] With Charlotte, he batted .267/.342/.406 in 165 at bats and was an FSL Mid-Season All-Star.[14] In 35 games with Montgomery, Casali hit .383 with a .483 on-base percentage and .600 slugging percentage, with five home runs. Overall, he hit .317/.405/.489 and 10 home runs. He was a 2013 MiLB Organization All Star.[14]

In 2014, he was invited to spring training by the Rays.[19] Casali returned to Montgomery to start the 2014 season, and batted .314/.500/.429 in 70 at bats.[20] He was promoted to the Triple–A Durham Bulls in May, and for them he batted .237/.335/.359 in 156 at bats.[21][22]

Major leagues edit

On July 18, 2014, Casali played his first major league game against the Minnesota Twins. He recorded a hit in his first at bat and a run later in the inning. He batted .167 in 72 at bats.[12]

 
Casali with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2015

On July 28, 2015, Casali hit two home runs in one game against the Detroit Tigers.[23] One night later, Casali repeated the feat by hitting two homers against former teammate and fellow Vanderbilt alum David Price.[24][25] In 2015 with Tampa Bay he batted .238/.304/.594 with a career-high 10 home runs and 18 RBI in 101 at bats.[12] With Durham, he batted .205/.326/.348 in 112 at bats.[12]

Casali opened the 2016 season in a platoon with Hank Conger.[26] For Tampa Bay, he caught 36% of attempted basestealers, giving up 25 steals and catching 14 baserunners.[12] Casali hit .169 before being optioned to the Durham Bulls on August 4, 2016, for whom he batted .254/.407/.365 in 63 at bats.[12]

He played most of 2017 for Durham, batting .263/.351/.347 in 300 at bats.[12] In nine at bats for Tampa Bay, Casali had three hits, including a home run.[12] He was removed from the 40–man roster and outrighted to Triple-A on November 6, 2017, before elected free agency later that day.[27]

On November 28, 2017, the Los Angeles Angels signed Casali to a minor league contract.[28] However, the Angels released him on January 16, 2018.

Two days later, Casali signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers.[29] The Rangers released Casali on March 21, 2018.

On March 21, 2018, Casali signed a minor league contract with the Tampa Bay Rays. Playing for the Triple–A Durham Bulls, he hit .274/.327/.453 in 95 at–bats.[12]

Cincinnati Reds (2018–2020) edit

On May 31, 2018, Casali was traded to the Cincinnati Reds for cash.[30] In July he injured his right knee, and was expected to be sidelined for three to four weeks. In 2018, he batted .293/.355/.450 with 4 home runs and 16 RBI in 140 at bats.[31]

In 2019, he batted .251/.331/.411 with 8 home runs and a career-high 32 RBI in 207 at bats.[31] He had the best range factor/9 innings in the National League among catchers (10.76).[31] Casali also had 14 at bats with the Triple–A Louisville Bats.[12]

In 2020, he batted .224/.366/.500 with 6 home runs and 8 RBI in 76 at bats.[31] He had the 3rd-best range factor/9 innings in the National League among catchers (11.30).[31] On December 2, 2020, Casali was nontendered by the Reds.

San Francisco Giants (2021–2022) edit

On January 4, 2021, Casali signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the San Francisco Giants,[32] to serve as the primary backup to catcher Buster Posey. During April 2021, Casali caught team shutouts in five consecutive starts (non-consecutive games). He became just the fifth catcher since 1900 with at least five straight team shutouts in his starts, and the first to do so with five different starting pitchers.[33] On June 17, in a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Casali recorded his first career triple off of D’Backs reliever Riley Smith. In the game, Casali also notched his first Giants homer, a 2-run shot off of D’Backs starter Zac Gallen in a game in which he went 3-for-5 with 4 RBIs.

In the 2021 regular season, Casali batted .210/.313/.350 with 11 doubles and 26 walks (career highs), and 5 home runs and 26 RBI in 200 at bats over 77 games.[34]

On March 22, 2022, Casali signed a $2.6 million contract with the Giants, avoiding salary arbitration.[35]

Seattle Mariners (2022) edit

On August 2, 2022, Casali and Matthew Boyd were traded to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for Michael Stryffeler and Andy Thomas.[36]

Second stint with Cincinnati Reds (2023) edit

On December 22, 2022, Casali signed a one-year, $3.25 million contract with the Cincinnati Reds.[37] He became a free agent following the season.

Chicago Cubs edit

On February 13, 2024, Casali signed a minor league contract with the Miami Marlins.[38] He was released on March 26[39] before signing with the Chicago Cubs on another minor league contract on March 29.[40]

Records edit

  • Giants franchise record for consecutive shutouts caught: 5[33]
  • MLB record (tie) for consecutive shutouts caught in the live-ball era: 5[33]
  • Second all-time (tie) for MLB modern era consecutive shutouts caught: 5 (record is 6)[33]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "New Canaan's Casali Drafted by Detroit Tigers". Weston-Redding-Easton, CT Patch. June 8, 2011.
  2. ^ "Curt Casali Bio - Vanderbilt Official Athletic Site". Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
  3. ^ "New Canaan's Curt Casali finds success with Vanderbilt baseball". StamfordAdvocate. July 2, 2010. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
  4. ^ "2008 Hyannis Mets". thebaseballcube.com. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  5. ^ Chris Blake (July 14, 2008). "Pitching Prowess Propels Mets Into West Race". capecodbaseball.org. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  6. ^ Steve McCarthy (June 23, 2010). "Kettleers break up Brewster no-hitter, but lose 7-2". capecodbaseball.org. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  7. ^ "Curtis Casali". pointstreak.com. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  8. ^ "Curt Casali". Spotrac.com.
  9. ^ Devlin, Paul (June 8, 2011). "New Canaan's Casali Drafted by Detroit Tigers". Weston-Redding-Easton, CT Patch. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
  10. ^ Writer, Rich DePreta, Staff (July 2, 2010). "New Canaan's Curt Casali finds success with Vanderbilt baseball". StamfordAdvocate.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  11. ^ a b c Valancius, Michael (February 19, 2014). "Get To Know Curt Casali". DRaysBay.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Curt Casali Amateur, College, Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com.
  13. ^ a b Stewart, Dave (September 18, 2012). "Casali, Lakeland, celebrate FSL baseball title". New Canaan Advertiser.
  14. ^ a b c "Curt Casali Stats, Fantasy & News". MiLB.com.
  15. ^ "Rays acquire catcher Curt Casali from Tigers". Tampa Bay Rays. Archived from the original on May 2, 2014. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
  16. ^ "Detroit trades Casali to Tampa Bay Rays". New Canaan Advertiser. Archived from the original on April 3, 2018. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
  17. ^ "New Canaan's Casali promoted to Tampa Bay's Double-A squad; goes 3-for-3 in debut". New Canaan News. July 31, 2013. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
  18. ^ "Casali promoted to Double-A Montgomery Biscuits". StamfordAdvocate. August 3, 2013. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
  19. ^ "Tampa Bay Rays Invite New Canaan's Curt Casali To Spring Training". New Canaan Daily Voice. February 7, 2014. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
  20. ^ "Biscuits Season Opener - Set for another go-round: Former Vanderbilt teammates share journey". Archived from the original on May 2, 2014.
  21. ^ "Connecticut's Curt Casali moving up to Triple-A Durham Bulls". New Canaan Advertiser. Archived from the original on April 3, 2018. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
  22. ^ "New Canaan's Casali Rides Hot Streak Closer To Major Leagues". New Canaan Daily Voice. May 6, 2014. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
  23. ^ Dinan, Terry (July 27, 2015). "New Canaan's Curt Casali Hits Two Home Runs for Tampa Bay Rays". NewCanaanite.com. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
  24. ^ Dinan, Terry (July 28, 2015). "'Déjà Vu All Over Again': Casali Homers Twice for Second Consecutive Game". NewCanaanite.com. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
  25. ^ Calcaterra, Craig Curt Casali is having one heck of a week NBC Sports. July 29, 2015
  26. ^ "Fantasy Sports: Football, Baseball, Basketball, Hockey & More - USATODAY.com". USA TODAY.
  27. ^ "Minor League Free Agents 2017". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  28. ^ Adams, Steve (November 28, 2017). "Angels Agree To Minor League Deals With Curt Casali, Colin Walsh". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
  29. ^ "Rangers Sign Curt Casali". MLB Trade Rumors.
  30. ^ "Rays trade Curt Casali to Reds". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved July 4, 2019.
  31. ^ a b c d e "Curt Casali Stats". Baseball-Reference.com.
  32. ^ "Catcher Casali agrees to 1-year deal with Giants". ESPN.com. January 4, 2021.
  33. ^ a b c d Guardado, Maria (April 22, 2021). "Casali's catching shutout streak at 5 games". MLB.com. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
  34. ^ "Curt Casali Stats, Fantasy & News". MLB.com.
  35. ^ "Arbitration Tracker For 2022". MLBTradeRumors. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
  36. ^ Kramer, Daniel. "Mariners make 'under-the-radar' moves at Deadline". MLB.com.
  37. ^ "Cincinnati Reds cut Mike Moustakas after Curt Casali returns on a one-year contract".
  38. ^ "Marlins, Curt Casali Agree To Minor League Deal". MLB Trade Rumors. February 13, 2024. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
  39. ^ https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/03/marlins-release-curt-casali.html
  40. ^ "Cubs sign catcher Curt Casali to minor league deal". sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved March 29, 2024.

External links edit

  • Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors), or Retrosheet
  • Vanderbilt Commodores bio
  • Curt Casali on Twitter  

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