Curt Casali hit a solo home run in Tampa Bay’s 9-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays in Spring Training action Wednesday afternoon. The blast, hit off MLB veteran Jeff Francis, was the first round-tripper of Casali’s career with the Rays and should help the New Canaan native’s chances of breaking camp with the big club once the regular season starts.
The Casali brothers—Curt and Andrew—were at the Turkey Bowl on Thanksgiving Day in 2014. Credit: Terry Dinan
Casali is now hitting .300 through six Grapefruit League games with Tampa Bay this spring. He is currently in a battle with teammate Bobby Wilson for the Rays’ backup catcher spot. Newly acquired Rene Rivera is projected to be the starter for Tampa Bay when the season begins on April 6th.
Casali hit .167 with 3 RBI in 30 games with the Rays last season, becoming the first New Canaanite to make the Majors. Here’s a video we shot at the Sidewalk Sale downtown last July, with locals giving Casali a “tip of the cap” on making the bigs: