New Canaan HS Grad on Fast Track to Big Leagues

Last month, was working out in preparation for his first-ever trip to spring training with the rest of the minor-league players in the Detroit Tigers organization. But on January 20, the  (2007) received a call that forced him to change his plans in a big way. Al Avila, assistant general manager of the team, told Casali he was invited to Major League camp.

"It was a real surprise," Casali told Patch from Lakeland, Florida, the longtime spring training home of the Tigers. "It's one of those things I had on my bucket list. I got to cross it off sooner than I expected. I'm really proud to be here."

Instead of practicing with minor-leaguers he never heard of, Casali is sharing the same field and clubhouse with stars like Justin Verlander, Prince Fielder, Miguel Cabrera and Jose Valverde, all established Major League stars. It's a big jump from Vanderbilt where he was playing at this time last year.

"I'm not intimidated, but I definitely have to pinch myself, sometimes," Casali, 23, who was drafted in the 10th round by Detroit last June, said. "I try to take the same approach as I did at Vanderbilt. I want to be the first one to the field every day and the last one to leave."

The 6'3", 220 lbs. catcher, who was also an and the Rams, got a taste of professional baseball last summer during stops in Norwich, CT and Western Michigan. But Casali is now feasting on his first serving of Major League baseball as a non-roster invitee, which should help him as he advances through the organization.

"You want to play with the best and see how you measure up," he said. "And you play better when you play with better competition. I'm in front of the right people to get noticed. Catching Major League pitchers is actually easier because they have great control and are always around the plate. Hitting-wise, I've barreled up a few baseballs and done pretty well."

Very few players drafted in June get invited to Major League camp the following winter, so it's clear the Tigers have big plans for Casali. This is a golden opportunity for him to showcase his skills for Jim Leyland who could be his manager in the near future.

"He is the type of manager that you want to play for," Casali said. "He takes the time to get to know you and see what you can do. I'd definitely want to play for a guy like that."

Hollywood writers would have a tough time authoring a story as compelling as Casali's over the last six months. He's gone from senior catcher in college to catching with a Major League team.

"It's been unbelievable," he said. "To get drafted by a class organization like the Tigers, to help Vanderbilt to its first-ever trip to the College World Series, to be able to make my professional debut in my home state and now to be in spring training with Detroit. It's been pretty amazing."

Casali said the Tigers haven't given him an indication of where he will start the season, but one thing is certain — he's on the fast track to making it to the Major Leagues.