Jays prospect Kasevich working hard, but also learning to have fun
Selected in the second round of the 2022 MLB draft, Toronto Blue Jays infield prospect Josh Kasevich is working hard at the club’s training complex in Dunedin, Fla., but he also has to remind himself to have fun. Photo: Kyle Ramnarine
March 31, 2023
By Kyle Ramnarine
Centennial Sports Journalism
Dunedin, Fla. – Josh Kasevich has made his dreams a reality through sheer hard work and dedication but is still learning to have fun along the way.
The 22-year-old Toronto Blue Jays shortstop from Palo Alto, Calif., has worked hard his entire life to get to this point, training every single day to hone his craft and keep moving his game forward.
Drafted 60th overall by Toronto in 2022, Kasevich was in disbelief that this was now his life.
“It was a long day, there was crazy excitement,” Kasevich said. “I was drafted in the second round. It took a couple of hours, and I was just sitting on the couch waiting around, and then it finally happened, and it was like a crazy flip flop of this moment.”
“I got to celebrate with my family and my girlfriend, which was amazing. It was kind of all the the hard work coming through.”
The Oregon alumnus remembers he was on his way to a hitting lesson with his mother, the exact moment he decided that this was what he wanted to do with his life.
“My mom asked me, ‘What’s the point of this? Why am I taking you to this?’” he said. “It kind of forced me to think, ‘What do I want to do with this?’ And that's when I kind of flipped the switch and said, ‘OK, this is something I want to pursue and take as far as I can.’”
Kasevich has kept his eye on the ball throughout his career so far. He has let his game come to him, evolving naturally throughout high school, to college, to the pros.
“It's just a process. It evolves with time, and I try not getting too ahead of myself in that and just stressing what I'm doing,” he said. “I need to focus what I'm training on and kind of letting myself develop naturally and just let the game come to me.”
Kasevich has played this game his entire life, climbed many hurdles and has achieved great success so far. However, he would have some advice for his younger self if he could go back.
“Have fun,” he said. “It's a game you can get caught up in performance and stuff like that. But I mean, shoot, we get to come here and play baseball every day. It’s the best thing in the world, so just have fun.”