Alexi Casilla Stats & Scouting Report

AB	1696
AVG	.247
OBP	.302
SLG	.331
HR	12

Full name Alexi Casilla
Born 07/20/1984 in San Cristobal, Dominican Republic
Profile Ht.: 5'9" / Wt.: 190 / Bats: S / Throws: R
School Enedina Puello Renville
Debut 09/01/2006

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

The Twins were eager to get rid of J.C. Romero in a December 2005 trade with the Angels, and they were equally happy to get Casilla, whom they believed could be a solid utility player or second baseman. After making a poor first impression by failing to make the Double-A team out of spring training, he wowed the organization with a strong season, leading the system in stolen bases. Casilla is a top-of-the-lineup igniter who showed defensive ability at shortstop and second base. He's a well-above-average runner. His quick hands work well at the plate, where he's a spray hitter who makes excellent contact, and in the field. He also has more than enough arm for shortstop and turns the double play well at second. Slight and not exceptionally strong, Casilla has an utter lack of power that limits his ceiling. It will be hard for him to be an impact hitter if he doesn't draw more walks, get on base and steal a lot of bases. Big league second baseman Luis Castillo becomes a free agent after the 2007 season, and Casilla is poised to take over for him after spending a year in Triple-A. He may have played his way into the future shortstop discussion as well.
J.C. Romero wore out his welcome with the Twins, who shipped him to the Angels for Casilla in December. Buried behind a slew of talented infielders led by Brandon Wood and Howie Kendrick in the Los Angeles system, Casilla still has his work cut out for him after Minnesota has spent three early-round picks on shortstops in the last two years. He's a high-energy player with above-average speed who keeps the ball on the ground and does the little things to help produce runs. His swing is a little stiff but produces a little gap power. He runs the bases aggressively and has good instincts, finishing fourth in the Midwest League in steals despite playing in just 78 games. Casilla didn't play more because he opened the year filling injury holes at Double-A and Triple-A, then missed the end of the season after breaking his forearm. He was back playing in a low-level Dominican winter league by November. Casilla needs to improve defensively, but has the actions and aptitude to do so as he matures. He should spend most of this year in high Class A.

Minor League Top Prospects

In a league dominated by pitching, Casilla was one of the few middle infielders who stood out. Acquired from the Angels in the offseason for J.C. Romero, Casilla started the season in Fort Myers and finished it in Minnesota. At the plate, Casilla takes advantage of his plus-plus speed by employing a running, slashing swing. He profiles as a leadoff hitter. He controls the strike zone and makes pitchers work, and once he reaches base, he's always a threat to steal. He has a knack for getting good jumps and reading pitchers. His weakness at the plate is his utter lack of power. Casilla played both second base and shortstop with the Miracle, and he's more polished at short right now. He has above-average range and arm strength. He's still figuring out his footwork and double-play pivot at second base. "He's very intelligent," Boles said. "You tell him to do something one time, he puts it into the game that night. He makes adjustments very quickly."
The Twins picked up Casilla from the Angels in exchange for J.C. Romero last December, and he played his way into a September callup after productive stints in the high Class A Florida State League and the EL. He has three plus tools in his speed, glove and arm, which allows him to make plays from deep in the hole at shortstop. "This guy is a cat," Portland manager Todd Claus said. "He approaches the ball extremely well and stays below the ball, gets underneath the hop. He can definitely play shortstop. He's a stronger version of (Diamondbacks prospect) Alberto Callaspo." Casilla employs a slap approach at the plate and sprays line drives into both alleys. He tries to lift the ball too often, but he squares up pitches from both sides of the plate.
Casilla was the best prospect on a young, overmatched Angels squad that won only 12 of 55 games. His skills across the board are similar to those of Alberto Callaspo, a gifted Double-A infielder in the Anaheim system. Casilla is a solid defender at both second base and shortstop, and an ideal leadoff hitter. He puts the ball in play consistently, and he can bunt and steal bases. He has little or no power.

Best Tools List

Rated Best Strike-Zone Discipline in the Minnesota Twins in 2007
Rated Best Defensive Infielder in the Minnesota Twins in 2007
Rated Most Exciting Player in the Florida State League in 2006
Rated Best Defensive 2B in the Florida State League in 2006
Rated Fastest Baserunner in the Florida State League in 2006

Career Transactions

Toros del Este placed 2B Alexi Casilla on the reserve list.
Toros del Este activated 2B Alexi Casilla.
York Revolution placed 2B Alexi Casilla on the temporarily inactive list.
York Revolution activated 2B Alexi Casilla from the temporarily inactive list.
York Revolution placed 2B Alexi Casilla on the temporarily inactive list.
2B Alexi Casilla assigned to York Revolution.
2B Alexi Casilla assigned to Toros del Este.
Estrellas Orientales traded 2B Alexi Casilla to Tigres del Licey.
SS Alexi Casilla elected free agency.
SS Alexi Casilla assigned to Estrellas Orientales.
Buffalo Bisons activated SS Alexi Casilla from the 7-day disabled list.
Buffalo Bisons placed SS Alexi Casilla on the 7-day disabled list.
Buffalo Bisons activated SS Alexi Casilla from the 7-day disabled list.
Buffalo Bisons placed 2B Alexi Casilla on the 7-day disabled list.
2B Alexi Casilla assigned to Toronto Blue Jays.
2B Alexi Casilla assigned to Buffalo Bisons.
Toronto Blue Jays signed free agent 2B Alexi Casilla to a minor league contract.
2B Alexi Casilla assigned to Estrellas de Felipe Rojas Alou.
2B Alexi Casilla elected free agency.
Durham Bulls traded 2B Alexi Casilla to Toledo Mud Hens.
Durham Bulls activated 2B Alexi Casilla from the 7-day disabled list.
Durham Bulls placed 2B Alexi Casilla on the 7-day disabled list retroactive to June 9, 2015.
Durham Bulls activated 2B Alexi Casilla from the 7-day disabled list.
Durham Bulls placed 2B Alexi Casilla on the 7-day disabled list retroactive to May 21, 2015.
2B Alexi Casilla assigned to Durham Bulls.
Tampa Bay Rays signed free agent 2B Alexi Casilla to a minor league contract.
Tampa Bay Rays released 2B Alexi Casilla.
2B Alexi Casilla assigned to Durham Bulls.
Tampa Bay Rays signed free agent 2B Alexi Casilla to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
2B Alexi Casilla assigned to Dominican Republic.
2B Alexi Casilla elected free agency.
Baltimore Orioles activated 2B Alexi Casilla.
Baltimore Orioles reassigned 2B Alexi Casilla to the minor leagues.
Baltimore Orioles selected the contract of 2B Alexi Casilla from Norfolk Tides.
Norfolk Tides activated 2B Alexi Casilla from the 7-day disabled list.
Norfolk Tides sent 2B Alexi Casilla on a rehab assignment to Aberdeen IronBirds.
Norfolk Tides placed 2B Alexi Casilla on the 7-day disabled list.
Norfolk Tides activated 2B Alexi Casilla from the 7-day disabled list.
Norfolk Tides placed 2B Alexi Casilla on the 7-day disabled list retroactive to May 22, 2014. hamstring strain
2B Alexi Casilla assigned to Norfolk Tides.
Baltimore Orioles signed free agent 2B Alexi Casilla to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
2B Alexi Casilla assigned to Gigantes del Cibao.
2B Alexi Casilla elected free agency.
2B Alexi Casilla transferred to Leones del Escogido from Gigantes del Cibao.
Baltimore Orioles claimed 2B Alexi Casilla off waivers from Minnesota Twins.
Alexi Casilla roster status changed by Minnesota Twins.
Alexi Casilla assigned to Gigantes del Cibao.
Minnesota Twins transferred 2B Alexi Casilla from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list.
sent 2B Alexi Casilla on a rehab assignment to Fort Myers Miracle.
Minnesota Twins placed 2B Alexi Casilla on the 15-day disabled list. Strained right hamstring
Minnesota Twins activated 2B Alexi Casilla from the 15-day disabled list.
Alexi Casilla roster status changed by Minnesota Twins.
Minnesota Twins placed 2B Alexi Casilla on the 15-day disabled list.
Minnesota Twins activated SS Alexi Casilla from the 15-day disabled list.
GCL Twins sent SS Alexi Casilla on a rehab assignment to New Britain Rock Cats.
Fort Myers Miracle sent SS Alexi Casilla on a rehab assignment to GCL Twins.
Alexi Casilla assigned to Fort Myers Miracle from GCL Twins.
Alexi Casilla assigned to GCL Twins.
Minnesota Twins placed SS Alexi Casilla on the 15-day disabled list. Bone spur in his right elbow.
2B Alexi Casilla assigned to Gigantes del Cibao.
Minnesota Twins recalled 2B Alexi Casilla from Rochester Red Wings.
Minnesota Twins optioned Alexi Casilla to Rochester Red Wings.
Minnesota Twins recalled Alexi Casilla from Rochester Red Wings.
Minnesota Twins optioned Alexi Casilla to Rochester Red Wings.