/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46857664/GettyImages-482222938.0.jpg)
Curt Casali is hitting like a mad man right now. Last night against David Price, Casali became the first catcher to hit multi-HRs in back-to-back games since Mike Napoli in 2011, and the second rookie catcher to do so ever in the big leagues! He's also the second Rays player to ever do so, following Rick Vaughn in 2002.
Remarkably, in just two games, Casali has raised his season ISO from .223 to an astounding .480, and now has seven home runs over 55 plate appearances since his promotion in June. Some of those long balls were line drives, but we need to be abundantly clear: These last four have been grown-man home run.
Like he ate his damn wheaties and he's all out of bubble gum.
★★★
The first of Casali's four mammoth shots started the scoring in Monday's Tigers game, in the bottom of the third inning. Wonderfully, Rays reporter Emily Austin is mid sentence when Casali makes contact.
I was talking to Casali before the game, and I asked if it was a competition between him and Rivera---SMACK
The crowd is as audible as the bat on the ball.
It was an Albert Pujols esque swing, and an Albert Pujols distance home run
★★★
Second one came later in the game. Runner on third with two outs, and a 2-0 count, based Casali does this to a 98 mph fastball.
This one nears "the rigging" -- in other words, among the three catwalks above Tropicana Field, the ball appears to clear the second ring and then fall before striking the third.
★★★
Both of the previous home runs came off decent pitchers, but the Rays were probably going to struggle against ace David Price right? Right!?
[link]
Curt Casali don't care about no Clarence-Cy-Young-Award MR PRICE! ALL HE CARES ABOUT IS HITTING HOME RUNS LIKE ITS BATTING PRACTICE.
★★★
Then, still facing David Price and tired of pulling the ball, Casali does it again.
Left field is SO BORING. Lets hit one to right, shall we?
[link]
#Tigers Price hung a note on #Rays Casali's locker that said NICELY DONE, and sent him a text saying nice job with some angry emojis
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) July 29, 2015
★★★
Let's run down the four home run pitch types: Elevated fastball? check. Heater? check. Change up? check. Cutter? check. Casali needs only a slider and a curve to complete the whole set. Maybe a knuckle ball? This is downright silly.
Maybe the Rays have found their offensive catcher?