Scouting Report

Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 45 | Overall: 40

Scouting grades: Hit: 40 | Power: 50 | Run: 55 | Arm: 65 | Field: 55 | Overall: 40

The Red Sox were split on whether Cason had a brighter future as a right-hander or a shortstop when they drafted the Georgia prepster in 2024's eighth round and gave him the opportunity to do both after signing him for second-round money ($1.25 million). Most other teams preferred him on the mound, but he wanted the opportunity to play both ways. After a two-inning outing and a game at DH last May, he developed elbow soreness that eventually led to Tommy John surgery in August. He won't pitch in 2026 but possibly could get some at-bats. 

As an amateur, Cason showcased a 93-95 mph fastball, topped out at 97, and displayed the aptitude to carry it up in zone or sink it down at the knees. He showed better feel for killing spin on a split-grip changeup in the low 80s than producing it on a tight slider with similar velocity. His athleticism helps him get down the mound well, though he'll rush his delivery at times and lose some control.

Cason also offers an intriguing combination of solid raw power and speed, though he comes with questions about his hitting ability. He struggled against breaking balls and changeups on the high school showcase circuit, and his right-handed stroke gets too long when he gets aggressive. He has fluid actions and an obviously strong arm at shortstop.

Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 45 | Overall: 40

Scouting grades: Hit: 40 | Power: 50 | Run: 55 | Arm: 65 | Field: 55 | Overall: 40

The latest in a recent line of Georgia prep two-way talents that includes big leaguers Taj Bradley, Michael Harris and Josh Lowe, Cason starred in four sports at the Greater Atlanta Christian School. The Red Sox were truly divided on whether he was better as a right-hander or a shortstop and still aren't sure after signing one of the youngest prospects in the 2024 Draft for late second-round money ($1.25 million) as an eighth-rounder. Most clubs preferred him as a pitcher, but he wants to play both ways and Boston will make a sincere effort to let him try.

Gatorade's Georgia high school player of the year, Cason features a 93-95 mph fastball that reaches 98 and shows the feel to ride it up in the zone or sink it down at the knees. He also has advanced aptitude for killing spin on his low-80s split-grip changeup, which tumbles at the plate and could become a plus offering. His tight slider has similar velocity and solid upside. While he's obviously athletic and gets down the mound well, he can rush his delivery at times and lose some control.

Cason asked to showcase himself solely as a shortstop at the MLB Draft Combine, where he impressed scouts with his solid raw power and speed. There are some questions about his hitting ability after he struggled against non-fastballs on the showcase circuit, and his right-handed swing can get too long when he gets overly aggressive. There obviously aren't any questions about his arm strength at shortstop, where he displays fluid actions.

Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 45 | Overall: 45

Scouting grades: Hit: 40 | Power: 50 | Run: 55 | Arm: 65 | Field: 55 | Overall: 45

In the past decade, Georgia high schools have produced several two-way talents who have become prominent picks, with Josh Lowe, Taj Bradley and Michael Harris reaching the big leagues and Bubba Chandler and Tai Peete on their way. The latest in that line is Cason, a four-sport star who signed for a well-over-slot $1.25 million as a 2024 eighth-rounder. Though most teams preferred him as a pitcher, he likes to play shortstop and the Red Sox will let him try to do both at the outset of his career.

Gatorade's Georgia high school player of the year, Cason worked at 93-95 mph and touched 97-98 throughout his senior season, showing the ability to ride his fastball up or sink it down in the zone. He does a great job of killing spin on his low-80s split-grip changeup, which tumbles at the plate and shows signs of becoming a plus pitch. His tight slider has similar velocity and could become a solid offering with more development. One of the younger top prospects in the 2024 Draft, he gets down the mound well but his delivery can get too quick at times, leading to inconsistent control.

Cason wanted to showcase himself as a shortstop at the MLB Draft Combine and impressed with solid speed and power potential. He struggled to hit non-fastballs against quality competition on the high school showcase circuit, and he'll have to close those holes to make it as a position player. He has good actions and obviously a strong arm at shortstop.

Video scouting report »

Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 45 | Overall: 45

In the past decade, Georgia high schools have produced several two-way talents who have become prominent picks, with Josh Lowe, Taj Bradley and Michael Harris reaching the big leagues and Bubba Chandler and Tai Peete on their way. The latest in that line is Cason, a four-sport star who figures to both hit and pitch at Mississippi State if he fulfills his college commitment. His combination of arm strength and athleticism could divert him from the Bulldogs into the top three rounds.

Gatorade's Georgia high school player of the year, Cason has worked at 93-95 mph and touched 97-98 throughout his senior season, showing the ability to ride his fastball up or sink it down in the zone. He does a great job of killing spin on his low-80s split-grip changeup, which tumbles at the plate and shows signs of becoming a plus pitch. His tight slider has similar velocity and could become a solid offering with more development.

One of the younger top prospects in the Draft, Cason gets down the mound well but his delivery can get too quick at times, leading to inconsistent control. He has thrown more strikes this spring and should continue to improve once he focuses on pitching full time. He also impressed at the MLB Draft Combine as a strong-armed shortstop with solid speed and power potential, but his future is brighter on the mound.

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	08/05/2024	FCL Red Sox activated TWP Conrad Cason.
	08/05/2024	TWP Conrad Cason assigned to FCL Red Sox.
	07/29/2024	Boston Red Sox signed TWP Conrad Cason.
	06/16/2024	College Workout activated SS Conrad Cason.
	06/09/2024	SS Conrad Cason assigned to College Workout.
	08/16/2023	SS Conrad Cason assigned to High School Workout.