Jays prospect Osahi's big league dream still alive despite injury woes

Toronto Blue Jays pitching prospect Rafael Ohashi, pictured at the team’s Player Development Complex in Dunedin, Fla., is optimistic that he'll play a full season in 2023 after being hit with the injury bug over the last two seasons. Photo: Daniel Ramos.

March 26, 2023

By Daniel Ramos

Centennial Sports Journalism

DUNEDIN, Fla. – Rafael Ohashi dreams of pitching the whole 2023 season so that he can reach the next level for the Dunedin Blue Jays.

The right-handed hurler has struggled with injuries over the past two seasons, but his lifelong passion is as strong as ever.

Ohashi fell in love with baseball as a kid, when his dad, who also adores the sport, took him to a practice in 2012. He knew instantly that this was the game he wanted to play, and it’s where his current ambitions began.

“I just dream. We have to dream to get to our goal, so I dream a lot,” said the São Paulo, Brazil native, as the sun was coming up at the Blue Jays training facility. “I’ll say ‘I need to go to the big leagues,’ so that’s what I’ll do – dream.”

The 20-year-old pitcher hopes to reach his dreams through pure enjoyment and work ethic.

Ohashi’s goal for this year is to pitch every chance he can. In his previous season, he tallied three wins and two losses for Dunedin. With 45 innings pitched, the hurler had a 2.96 earned run average.

Ohashi knows that to compete at a high level, he must maintain a certain level of euphoria to stay composed.

“You pitch like every week, maybe twice a week, so you need to be able to be sure of what you’re doing,” said the São Paulo native. “As a pitcher, I don’t put pressure on myself. It’s important to be healthy with your mental and physical.”

This ongoing journey of Ohashi should be seen as model for young kids wanting to play in the big leagues one day.

The Blue Jays pitcher says that having a routine, keeping things light, and continuing to follow your dreams is the best advice he can give.

“Don’t try to rush too much and have a routine that you go over step-by-step to avoid injury. Also, have a lot of fun. If you don’t have fun when you play, that will appear in future games.”

The righty does the same routine before every game and practice. He warms up, stretches, gets some exercises in to hit all muscles, and is always ready for what he’s about to do.

Ohashi is expected to start the season with the Dunedin Blue Jays.