Jul 16, 2025 By Eleanor Bailey 4 min read

History repeated itself with the Casey clan from Upper St. Clair.

Thirty years ago, on June 1, 1995, Sean Casey was selected in the second round of the MLB Amateur Draft by the Cleveland Indians. On July 14, 2025 his son, Jake, was selected in the 15th round by the Toronto Blue Jays.

Casey said that this year’s draft “brought back so many memories” for him. He recalled being in the kitchen with his parents, Jim and Joan, as well as his best friend, Mike Junko, who played with Casey on USC’s 1992 WPIAL championship baseball club.

“So many memories. The stress. The emotion,” Casey said. “It was the greatest day of my life. As a 20-year-old kid, I remember feeling that this is the first step of the journey.”

Casey’s journey lasted 12 seasons and took him from Cleveland to Cincinnati, to Pittsburgh, Detroit and Boston.

During his career, Casey batted .302 with 130 home runs and 735 RBI. A three-time all-star for the National League, Casey played in the 2006 World Series when the Tigers lost to the St. Louis Cardinals.

Among his many accolades are induction into his alma maters (USC and the University of Richmond), WPIAL and Cincinnati Reds Halls of Fame.

Currently, Casey serves as a broadcaster and commentator for the MLB Network.

“A lot has changed,” said Casey, who turned 51 on July 2.

He noted how “different” the MLB draft is these days, When Casey was picked, there were 60 selection rounds. This year’s draft had 20 rounds.

“It’s so much harder to get drafted. Way harder,” Casey emphasized. “There is a lot of talent out there. So it doesn’t matter what round you get drafted. You’re all super valuable to your clubs.”

The biggest thing, Casey added, is that his son now has “a seat at the table” and his development will determine how far he moves up the ladder.

“We are all over the moon for Jake. It was an incredible day and moment. His dream came true. Now it’s all in his hands to make (playing in the major leagues) happen. At the end of the day, no one can help you but you.”

Casey and his former wife, Mandi, may have gotten their son started in baseball but Jake’s the one that put the time and passion into the sport. He was drafted on his own merits not because he was the son of a former MLB star.

“I loved baseball because my dad did and my sons loved baseball too because of the whole dad thing,” said Casey, whose oldest, Andrew, played at Dayton before focusing on his degree. “At this stage though you are not playing to make people happy. You better love it.

“At the end of the day, you are your own person and we are all individuals. You put the work in and you have accountability. No one is going to help you but you.”

Along the way to being drafted, Jake Casey had plenty of outside guidance.

He played Little League under Mike Wilson from Mt. Lebanon. Wilson’s own son, Josh, was drafted in 1999 by the Florida Marlins. He played high school baseball for Jerry Malarkey, who also managed his father.

Since seventh grade, he trained with John Dennis, owner of Teleo Performance in Bethel Park. He then excelled at Kent State University, drawing the attention of MLB scouts and an invitation to the league’s combine before the draft.

“No one cares that Jake is Sean Casey’s son. He’ll either play or he won’t because of his skills,” Casey said.

“Getting drafted is all good stuff and fun, but Jake knows he’s never gone it alone. There have been a lot of people along the way. From his mom driving him around to all of his coaches.”

Now Casey’s son is on the cusp of making it big.

“He has the skills to make it,” Casey said. “Scouts saw him. They watched his power and saw his speed. He has a great chance. At the end of the day, all you want is to have that chance.”