Fantasy Information Central - MLB Player Spotlights: Sean Casey (1B), Cin

Sean Casey (1B), Cin

August 28, 2002

SEAN CASEY - CINCINNATI REDS

First Base
Age: 28 (July 2, 1974)
Height: 6-4 Weight: 225
Throws: Right Bats: Left

	TM	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
1997	Cle	6	10	1	2	0	0	0	1	1	2	0	0	0.2	0.333	0.200	0.533
1998	Cin	96	302	44	82	21	1	7	52	43	45	1	1	0.272	0.365	0.417	0.782
1999	Cin	151	594	103	197	42	3	25	99	61	88	0	2	0.332	0.399	0.539	0.938
2000	Cin	133	480	69	151	33	2	20	85	52	80	1	0	0.315	0.385	0.517	0.902
2001	Cin	145	533	69	165	40	0	13	89	43	63	3	1	0.31	0.369	0.458	0.827
2002	Cin	111	395	53	104	23	0	6	42	42	46	2	1	0.263	0.339	0.367	0.706
Total	--	642	2314	339	701	159	6	71	368	242	324	7	5	0.303	0.374	0.469	0.843

COLLEGIATE AND MINOR LEAGUE HISTORY

Whenever there was a home game back at the University of Richmond, you better have moved your car because of Sean Casey. He would rip balls into the right field parking lot on a regular basis and he made tailgating at baseball games more than just another reason for a party. Casey hit .461 in 1995 (NCAA Division I batting champion) for the Spiders and became the first player in CAA history to hit for the triple crown. But Casey wasn't only popular because of his great talents on the field, he carried a friendly and good-hearted nature with him everywhere that he went. While playing in the Cape Cod league in 1994, Casey was nicknamed "the Mayor" and the nickname has stuck as Casey has earned a reputation as one of the sport's most personable players with simple politeness and humbleness. Teammate Barry Larkin calls Casey "the most sincere, honest, hardworking American I know."

Casey was drafted in the 2nd round of the 1995 draft by the Cleveland Indians. He played half a season of A ball in 95 where he hit .329 with 2 homers and 37 RBI. In his first full season (1996) in the minors, Casey lead the league with a .331 average. He also accumulated 12 homers and 57 RBI in 92 games.

In 1997, Casey began the year playing for Double-A Akron. In 62 games, Casey hit a exceptional .386 with 10 homers and 66 RBI. He was promoted to Triple-A Buffalo where he continued his assault on minor league pitchers. In 20 games, he hit .361 with 5 homers and 18 RBI.

MAJOR LEAGUE HISTORY

Casey got the call to the big leagues in September of 1997. In his first major league at-bat, Casey recorded a pinch-hit single in the ninth off White Sox right-hander Jeff Darwin.

Heading into the 1998 season, Baseball America ranked Casey the No.1 prospect in the Indians organization and the best hitting prospect in minor league baseball. With Jim Thome blocking Casey's way at first base, GM John Hart traded Casey to the Reds for right-handed pitcher Dave Burba one day before opening day in 1998. Casey was injured in a freak accident where he was hit by a thrown ball in batting practice. He missed over a month of the season with an orbital fracture of his right eye. After struggling upon his return from the DL, Casey finished with solid numbers in his rookie season but hit below .300 for the first time in his professional career.

The main question mark in Casey's game to this point was if he would hit for enough power for a corner infielder. Casey answered with 25 homers in 1999, his first full healthy season in the majors. Casey was also elected to his first All-Star game in 99. He also finished 4th in the NL batting race with a .332 average.

Casey began 2000 on the DL with a broken right thumb. He followed up his great 1999 campaign with similar numbers in 2000. Casey led the NL with a .372 aveage after the All-Star break. He had a career high 21-game hitting streak in July.

2001 saw Casey's numbers fall off slightly once again. He was the lone Reds representative at the All-Star game. He battled a series of nagging injuries to still lead the Reds in games, hitting, runs, hits, doubles and RBI.

2002 - SLOWED BY INJURY

This season has been a real disappointment for Sean. It'ss been his worst hitting season as a professional as he's hitting a career low .263 with only a .367 slugging percentage. Casey has been severely hampered by a sore shoulder for much of the season, which the doctors didn't diagnose correctly as a tear until late July. After spending time on the DL, Casey returned from the DL in mid-August and has begun to swing the bat with more power.

It's looking pretty much like a lost season for Sean and there are better options for your fantasy squads. Casey ranks 31st on the FIC 1B rankings for this season and 17th over a 3 year period.

LOOKING FORWARD

Sean is one of the best pure hitters in the game and is sure to bounce back from his poor season this year. A career .311 hitter, Casey will come cheaply in the draft next season and is worth a late round pick. He will need to show that he can hit for power again as his slugging percentage has slipped each year for the past 3 seasons. To have good fantasy value at the first base position, Casey will need to return to his 1999 form. If you want a great guy to cheer for, Casey is the man.

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Chris Wang
Dodgers Correspondent