With Red Sox 1Bs struggling, Alex Cora says mashing prospect at AAA has 'upside'

Niko Kavadas has gotten off to a great start at Triple-A Worcester. (Katie Morrison-O'Day / MassLive) By Chris Cotillo | ccotillo@MassLive.com ST. LOUIS — The Red Sox scrambled to replace Triston Casas' production at first base by adding not one, but two, veteran first basemen to replace him after Casas tore cartilage in his ribcage and was placed on the 60-day injured list. So far, the loss has proven to be a massive one in terms of production. The two veterans, Garrett Cooper and Dominic Smith, entered Friday's game combining to hit .192 since joining the Red Sox. Cooper, who came over in a minor trade with the Cubs, is 7-for-34 (.206) with three doubles, three RBIs and 10 strikeouts . Smith,