BOSTON -- The results certainly have not been there at the plate recently for Boston Red Sox first baseman Triston Casas.
The left-handed slugger is mired in a deep slump as he entered Tuesday night's loss to the Baltimore Orioles with just three hits in his last 31 at-bats. The rough stretch even prompted Red Sox manager Alex Cora to have a conversation with Casas.
But this slump is just a stage Casas believes will come and go, just like what a certain insect goes through.
"It's hard to justify hitting and thoughts and processes because a feel comes and then it goes and then you got to let it go and find something else that works," Casas said. "As hitters, we're always transitioning and almost molting like butterflies. So, I'm in my next phase right now. Hopefully better at-bats coming soon."
That's quite the comparison. But Casas feels he's on the right track and could be close to breaking out and stretching his proverbial butterfly wings.
Casas felt good about his plate appearances in the 5-3 loss to the Orioles at Fenway Park even though he went 1-for-4 with three strikeouts. Casas' lone hit showcased his talent, as he ripped an RBI double with a 103.6 mph exit velocity off the left-center field wall in the top of the fourth inning.
"I liked my at-bats today. I was swinging at strikes. Just missed a couple in the zone," Casas said. "Had the tough call at the bottom of the zone my first one. Was able to hit a double and then their lefty came in and then their closer. A lot of positives for sure to take out of today."
Cora in his chat with Casas, who called it an "open" conversation, wanted the 24-year-old to simplify things at the plate. The Red Sox skipper even thought Casas was overthinking things in the batter's box.
But Casas feels his brain is one of his best tools when facing opposing pitchers.
"That's definitely what it could have sounded like from that conversation, right?" Casas said. "I am a very cerebral-type of hitter. I don't have crazy abilities out there in terms of attributes that jump off the charts. So, I got to really make up in other ways and thinking one step ahead of the game and always trying to think with the game is something that I do.
"Alex, he's always asking me what I'm thinking about. He just wants to know that I'm in a good place mentally.''
