Caissie, Menier pace Team Red to win over Team Navy in T12 opener
Fieldhouse Pirates OF Owen Caissie (Burlington, Ont.) had two runs, two walks and an RBI to help Team Red to a 5-3 win over Team Navy in the Tournament 12 opener on Tuesday morning. (Christiana Qesko)
September 18, 2019
By Caio Miari
Canadian Baseball Network
Owen Caissie lined up at the Tournament 12 held by the Toronto Blue Jays as one of the most exciting Canadian prospects to be watched for collegiate and professional scouts this week at Rogers Centre.
Even though the Fieldhouse Pirates outfielder didn’t necessarily need to impress all the scouts in the stands, the 17-year-old made himself noticed on Wednesday.
Caissie was a centre piece in Team Red’s 5-3 win over Team Navy, finishing the game 1-for-2, with two walks, two runs scored, one run batted in, and two stolen bases.
“Last year put in perspective what I needed to get better, what I needed to do to be one of the best in Canada,” said Caissie, in his second of the annual national scouting combines. “I worked, worked, and worked, and finally had a chance and showed it.”
The Burlington, Ont., native was awarded Player Of The Game, one day after a strong performance at the Tryout Day of Tournament 12. On Tuesday, he was one of the few players to hit a home run in the at-bat activities, while also recording the third-fastest time in the 60-yard sprint (6.49 seconds).
Tournament 12 features pro-standard wooden bats that cut down on the distance balls travel and speed off the bat, compared to the aluminum bats most amateur players use.
“I don’t want to be a one-dimensional player,” he said. “I want to be able to play in the showcase and in the game, and I feel like I showed that today.”
Team Red coach Brock Kjeldgaard wasn’t surprised by the performance.
“He (Owen Caissie) is obviously a top player,” said Kjeldgaard. “He really shows a level that is really impressive at getting the barrel to the ball and just make solid contact all the time.”
A solid Tournament 12 so far can be seen as the cherry on the cake for the promising Canadian, who committed to the University of Michigan early this week. Playing for the current College World Series Runner-Up is definitely something that the promising prospect isn’t taking for granted.
“It’s been amazing (the past days),” he said. “I had the experience of the committing process again; I went down to Michigan, it was amazing. I’m really excited about my future.”
Caissie wasn’t the only prospect who stood out in the first game of Tournament 12.
Teammate Simon Menier (Chicoutimi, Que.) had two hits and three RBIs, including a clutch single in the top of the seventh, knocking in the go-ahead runs to give Team Red a 5-3 lead.
For Team Navy, who got off to a quick start with a 2-0 lead in the first inning but couldn’t hold it, Riley Silva (Cambridge, Ont.) made himself noticed with two stolen bases and an RBI.