Though Triston Casas appreciated the chance to take part within the Olympics, the Boston Pink Sox prospect nonetheless left Tokyo with a sinking feeling.
America baseball workforce received silver medals — a heck of an accomplishment — however fell in need of its final objective of securing gold by shedding to Japan 2-0 on Saturday.
“It feels horrible,” Casas advised The Boston Globe after USA’s gold medal recreation defeat. “We did not accomplish what we wished to come back right here and do, which was to win a gold medal, however hats off to that nice Japan workforce. They got here out and beat us twice.”
The U.S. roster was distinctive in that it was comprised of veteran Main League Baseball free brokers, a number of minor leaguers and a few prospects, like Casas, who’ve but to be added to an MLB 40-man roster. Nonetheless, the Individuals confirmed critical struggle, pushing the host nation to the brink earlier than developing quick.
Total, Casas can take so much from the expertise as he returns to the USA, the place he rejoins the Pink Sox’s Double-A affiliate in Portland. Whereas the 21-year-old won’t earn an enormous league call-up this season, he actually turned heads on the worldwide stage, displaying precisely why Boston picked him within the first spherical of the 2018 MLB Draft.
It is also truthful to suppose the chip on Casas’ shoulder is bigger than it is ever been.
“I do not need it, I actually do not,” Casas advised The Globe, speaking about his comfort prize. “That silver medal is not one thing that is going to be hanging up in my home, I am going to let you know that. I am not embarrassed however it’s not what I got here right here to do. I got here right here to win a gold medal.”
Casas, a hulking slugger who’s listed at 6-foot-4, 252 kilos, is broadly thought of the Pink Sox’s high prospect. If he would not debut in 2021, there is a good probability he’ll make his strategy to Boston in some unspecified time in the future in 2022, possible much more motivated than he was earlier than arriving in Tokyo.
