Curt Casali, the New Canaan, Connecticut native and longtime Major League catcher, has officially retired from playing after an 11‑season MLB career. He appeared in his final major league games in 2024 and recently accepted a role in the Cincinnati Reds front office.
Casali did not play in the 2025 season, having logged 41 games for the San Francisco Giants in 2024 before stepping away from active play. Over his career, he suited up for several clubs, including the Tampa Bay Rays, Cincinnati Reds, San Francisco Giants, and Seattle Mariners.
Born in California, Casali’s family relocated to Connecticut when he was 11. At New Canaan High School, he excelled in both baseball and football, earning All‑State honors in both sports. He went on to play collegiate baseball at Vanderbilt before being selected by the Detroit Tigers in the 10th round of the 2011 MLB Draft.
He made his MLB debut with the Rays in 2014 after being traded to Tampa in 2013. In Tampa, he was often used in a part‑time role; his most active season with the Rays came in 2016, when he appeared in 84 games. In 2018, the Reds acquired Casali, and he became part of a platoon catching arrangement alongside Tucker Barnhart. During his time in Cincinnati, he put up solid numbers, including a .260 batting average across 485 plate appearances in one stretch.
Casali later signed with the Giants, where he had stints in 2021–2022 and again in 2024. In between, he was traded to Seattle mid‑season in 2022. His final year saw him return to San Francisco. Over the course of his MLB career, Casali played in 543 games and recorded 1,579 plate appearances. He retired with a career batting average of .218 and hit 48 home runs.
While details about his new role with the Reds have not yet been made public, the organization confirmed that Casali has accepted a front office position. His transition to the front office marks a new chapter in his baseball life, shifting from on‑field contributions to behind‑the-scenes work.
Casali’s journey from high school standout to MLB catcher to front office executive highlights both his longevity and adaptability. As one of the more respected catchers of his era—known for glove work, game calling, and clubhouse presence—his experience is expected to make him a valuable asset off the field.
